The Pretenders

As a lover of authors like Jane Austen and Elizabeth Gaskell - I found it wonderfully refreshing to discover a fairly modern romance novelist who writes with subtle wit and a keen sense of the period! A definite winner in my book!

Joan Wolf's first-person narrative has got to be the best technique ever employed by a romance writer. This book is another one of her winners. Both the hero and heroine are rich, likable characters, and I found the idea of them being friends before lovers interesting. It worked very well, and neither was the plot something we've all heard before. "The Pretenders" was a refreshing read. I'd recommend this if you are a reader that wants a good, non-angsty romance.

I have thoroughly enjoyed all of Joan Wolf's first person point-of-view romances, but this one is the best. Ms. Wolf takes a standard romantic trope - the sensible woman who nurtures the high-strung, arrogant hero - and gives it a new twist, showing us how both the hero and the heroine benefit from their alliance. Reeve needs Deb's practical social skills; in turn, he helps Deb cope with problems that she doesn't even realize she has. I see that Ms. Wolf's next book reverts to the familiar third person p-o-v; I hope this is not a permanent change.

This was the first Joan Wolf novel I have ever read and I couldn't put it down. Smart, funny and VERY well written. (I'm a magazine editor, believe me I know junk when I read it.) Wonderful characters and even better dialogue. The first person narrative is a interesting twist that works very well here. I can't wait to read more of Joan Wolf!

I just love love loved this book! The characters were so real and it was a delight watching them fall in love. Kudos to Wolf.