Sunday, July 19, 2009

Review: The Better to Hold You


This is a novel by Alisa Sheckley.

Book Blurb:

SHE KNOWS WHERE THE WILD THINGS ARE.

Manhattan veterinarian Abra Barrow has more sense about animals than she
has about men. So when her adored journalist husband returns from a
research trip to Romania and starts pacing their apartment like a caged
wolf, Abra agrees to move with him to a rural mansion upstate in order to save her marriage.

But while there are perks to her new life, particularly in the bedroom,
Abra soon discovers that nothing in the bucolic town of Northside is
what it seems. The local tavern serves a dangerous, predatory
underworld. Her husband has developed feral new appetites and a roving
eye, and his lack of humanity isn't entirely emotional. As the moon waxes full, Abra must choose between trusting the man she married, taking a chance on a seductive stranger, or following her own animal instincts.

This is one of the most awful books I've ever read - and I have read a great many books. I have never disliked a character the way I dislike Abra Barrow.

Abra Barrow has not seen her husband for 3 months when he comes home he is acting strange - very disrespectful. What does Abra do? Cry

Abra finds out that her husband was unfaithful in the 3 months they were apart. What does Abra do? Cry

Abra's husband tells her he needs time apart - for work. What does Abra do? Cry

Abra's husband takes her to dinner and tells her that he is moving 2 hours away to live in his childhood home in the middle of no where so that he can focus on his work - but Abra can come with him. What does Abra do? Cry. Tears of gratitude cause her jerk of a husband is willing to let her come along.

So Abra gives up everything that is important to her and follows her jerk of a husband to the middle of nowhere and what does she do when he blatantly flirts with a waitress at dinner? Cry

Finally in chapter 35 Abra tries to borrow a pair (cause goodness know's she doesn't own a pair of her own) - but it is too little, too late.

Who wants to read 35 chapters of crying just to get to a point where the female lead tries to stand up for herself? I don't! And note that I said tried - cause she didn't do it. She rolled right over and let herself be pushed out of town.

This was a waste of time and paper.

I give this book 0 stars.

M

Novels

The Better to Hold YouMoonburn


8 comments:

Lea said...

Oh Dear!!

I give you 5 stars for not throwing that one in the DNF pile Michelle...

I don't mind weeping when it is warranted, but 35 chapters of it. - No thanks... ugh

(((hugs)))

L

Donna said...

Wow, that's a lot of crying. Like Lea, I'm surprise it didn't end up in the DNF pile.

Michelle Greathouse said...

Lea and Donna,

I wanted to throw it away. LOL But then I thought I needed to finish it in order to give an accurate review. :) Honestly, it was just awful.

Have a wonderful evening.

M

Cecile Smutty Hussy said...

Hey Michelle! Wow!! Honest review honey and that is much appreciated it. I actually have the book, because I bought the second one frist and I found out that this one was first. So, I bought it, have not read it yet... And now... I am not looking forward to reading it anytime soon. But I will... and I will let you know if I decided to use the paper as scratch paper!! LOL!!
I am sorry that the book did not live up to anything for you. And I agree with you, I have not come across a book yet that I deemed non worthy of making it to paper!

I hope you have a great weekend and I hope you have a great Monday as well!

Blodeuedd said...

Hi Michelle,
I am very impressed by you. I would have given up long ago. I have realised that I shouldn't spend time on crap when there is so much else to read. Not to mention that i can't suffer through a book

Michelle Greathouse said...

Cecile,

:) I can't wait to hear your thoughts on the book. I have the second one on the shelf as well - cause I am real bad about buying the set before reading the first book. Grrr, I have got to get out of that habit. LOL Needless to say, the second book is not at the top of the tbr pile.

B,

Believe me, I wanted to give up on this one. :)

Have a wonderful day ladies. And as always, thanks for stopping by.

M

Anonymous said...

This book drove me crazy. I thought it was well-written, but Abra was such a doormat. Her husband was absolutely ridiculous and the woman he had the affair with was comical, in a bad way. I read some reviews for the second book and I'm so glad I didn't buy it! Check out the reviews if you have a chance and I think you'll know what I mean. Laura

Michelle Greathouse said...

Laura,

I'm glad to know I'm not the only one that thought this book was a dud. I haven't read any reviews for the second book - but unless Abra has grown a backbone and obtained some self respect - I can't see the second one being any better than the first.

Thanks for stopping by.

M