Whitney, My Love (The Westmoreland Dynasty Saga Book 1)

I had read kingdom of dreams first, and many many many times at that (poor book is very worn). When I went to get it in the Kindle version I was delightfully surprised to see that there were actually 4 books, making this a series! I started with book 1 and plan to read all 4. I didn't think it could possibly be as good as number 2 (kingdom of dreams, which to me was PERFECTION!) but alas it was! This author is so amazing. The twists and turns as the characters find their way to each other keeps you from being able to put the book down. Falling deeply in love with their story. Swooning. <3

“Missing you?” she giggled incredulously. “I could cheerfully murder you.”It was while reading this novel, that I decided I needed an epic romance shelf. I mean, why can fantasy be categorized as epic, and yet romance is just "romance?"Whitney, My Love had about as many pages as a GOT novel, and every page was just so good.I read romance for the thrill of falling in love, the passion of jealousy, the excitement of being intimate for the first time, and sometimes for the heartbreak and the angst it brings with it. This story captured every one of those, in a breath-taking story in the regency era.God, it was just so amazing, and so engrossing.This was McNaught's debut novel, turned down again and again by agents who thought it was too developed (I know, right?) too sensual, and just plain too 'deep' for women. I think she is one of the leading authors who began this amazing movement in romance, with deeply sensual and compelling stories. Now, that movement has just turned romance into three-fourths sex and one-fourth story, but at least I have many 'bodice rippers' on my bookshelf from the eighties to last me through the apocalypse.“Cheating,” she solemnly replied. “I do it when I cannot win.”It's hard to put into words how much I loved these characters, and how much I was completely engrossed in this story. The banter, the chemistry, and sometimes the hatred - Whitney and Clayton had it all.Whitney was loveable, fierce, quirky, but also young and naive. She believes she's in love with Paul, the local gentleman seven years her senior. She was only fifteen when her forward acts trying to win his love, gets her shipped to her aunt and uncle in France. She grows up, becoming beautiful, and her witty banter makes her become the 'belle of the ball.'The Duke of Claymore is a profligate rake. Richer than God, and one of the most handsome sought after bachelors. The thing I loved about this story, is there might have been extreme attraction from the hero's side, but the heroine doesn't even notice him for a while. She didn't notice him, having not been able to see outside the circle of bachelors surrounding her. It irked the duke, and when he decided he didn't want to court her like the other dandies, he does something shocking.Finding out Whitney's father is destitute, about to be put into debtor's prison, Clayton makes him a deal. Whitey's hand for 100K pounds, but he wants the chance to court her, without her knowing who he is. And the deal is done. The Duke of Claymore becomes Clayton Westland.Small problem, though. Whitney becomes to hate Clayton, still with designs to marry Paul.Whitney, My Love was a rollercoaster of love, lust, jealousy, and possession, with a strong hero, and a witty passionate heroine. Their problems can be frustrating, based on the issues of early relationships: miscommunication, lack of trust, and just not knowing the other so well. But that's just what makes the story so relatable - heartbreaking, and then heart-warming as they fall back together. A beautiful story, with all the conflict, tension, and chemistry, to make this story one of my favorites of all time.

First time reading this author & I enjoyed the book immensely! Well written and keeps you turning the page! Entertaining read but I disliked how the duke was forever forcing & manhandling Whitney to kiss him, to push her down & force her to stay, to block her way from leaving, forcing his attentions on her, etc. It’s not romantic at all & felt like straight up assault to me in some sections. In one section he physically hurts her while forcing her to kiss him (when she tells him she thinks of Paul in order to endure the Duke’s kisses). He literally suffocates her. Then afterwards, he contemplates forcing sex on her. Gem of a man. Whitney states later she has a “genuine fear of Clayton’s wrath.” There are many more instances when he physically hurts her thru out the book & that is not ok no matter the circumstances nor is it romantic in any way. It’s horribly abusive behavior and Whitney is often fearful of him. The fact that the Duke believes he loves her is laughable…last I checked, you don’t force a woman you love to the alter “by the hair kicking and screaming” with complete disregard for her feelings. And then the scene where he admits he almost rapes her, before he takes her virginity. Even after they are married & when they have a falling out, he’s always grabbing her squeezing her arm or elbow (his fingers “biting into her flesh” to the point of pain. The Duke is forever believing falsehoods about her & taking his anger & cruelty out on her. Overall, enjoyed the female protagonist and the story, but disliked the character of the Duke.

Wonderful story that made me feel as though I am part of their world, so much so that I am sad to see the story end.

One of the best historical romances I have read. The writing and detail made you want to read on and on and follow the stories of more of the characters! I will read on .

Read dozens of books in the romance genre - Judith McNaught hits it out of the park each time. Love her plots and the way she brings out each character and allows the relationships to grow. Her books are all beautifully written and refreshing in a way her contemporaries have not been able to achieve!

The best love story I have ever read. It is my best favourite romance. I have read it more than 20 times and I still enjoy it. It is the ultimate love story. The first time I read it I could not put it down until I finished it

I was delighted by learning the back story of "Until You" and how Whitney had come into the family. I just love reading about this era and all the costumes and daily routines. An easy relaxing read, full of girlish drama and fun!

This great story is let down by the poor quality of the kindle version. Something has gone awry with the technology; there are numerous errors in the text. This makes for a frustrating read! 5 stars for the great story & 2 for the technology

Den Inhalt wieder zugeben ist eine langwierige Sache, deshalb hier ein Versuch:Mädchen hat Backfisch-Liebe Paul seit Kindertagen.Mädchen ist im Dorf und beim Vater nicht beliebt, weil Wildfang.Mädchen wird nach Paris zur Tante und Onkel ,abgeschoben` um Schlief zu bekommen.Mädchen wird zum beliebtesten Mädchen des französischen Tons und ein stattlicher Rake-Duke begehrt sie heimlich.Duke nimmt Kontakt zum mittlerweile hoch Verschuldeten Vater auf und "kauft" Mädchen für sich als Verlobte ein.Duke lernt Mädchen in England dann Inkognito kennen und will Mädchen von der Backfischliebe Paul emotional entfernen und eben Inkognito für sich gewinnen.Mädchen wird nun doch von Paul begehrt, weil jetzt hübsch und Damenhaft (und mit großer Mitgift).Mädchen erfährt von der erkauften Verlobung mit dem Duke und dass dieser versuchte sie Inkognito zu gewinnen.Mädchen muß sich auf Zeitspiel einlassen und Duke auf Verführung der Zukünftigen.Mädchen erfährt, das Paul nur an ihrer Mitgift interessiert war.Mädchen erkennt, dass sie den Duke liebt.Durch Mißverständnis meint Duke von Mädchen verschaukelt worden zu sein und rächt sich an Mädchen.Duke erkennt nach böser Rache, dass er falsch gelegen hat und Mädchen hasst ihn jetzt.Duke und Mädchen auf lange Zeit hin verzweifelt und dann sind beide Vergebungsvoll.Duke macht aber erneut Fehler und Mädchen hasst ihn erneut.Missverständnis klärt sich auf, aber nun ist alles zu spät... oder?Duke entpuppt sich als ein echt sturer Bock!Diese "Whitney. My Love" Version ist kein Reprint von der 1987er Version sondern eine überarbeitet/verbesserte Version, welche die Autorin 15 Jahren nach erscheinen der ersten Version angefertigt hat, mit einem wohl verlängertem und verbesserten Ende. Da ich die alte Version nicht kenne, kann ich dazu nicht viel sagen, aber diese ist - mit 709 Seiten!- es wert gelesen zu werden.Bei 709 Seiten habe ich durchaus Längen, nervende Nebenhandlungen und unnütze Verwicklungen erwartet. Aber alles weit gefehlt, es ist ein echter "Pageturner"! Man weiß ja, dass es ein Happy-End geben muß, aber wie und wann es endlich dazu kommt, das wird eben auf 709 Seiten ausführlich erzählt und vor allem "entwickelt!". Und genau deshalb ist so spannend zu lesen, dass man fast Urlaub nehme möchte um es auslesen zu können, weil man einfach ständig wissen will und muß, wie es weiter läuft. Ich war begeistert über die lang Charakter- und Plotentwicklung der Charaktere und der Beziehungen, Nebenhandlungen, Mißverständsnisse, Verleumdungen, Verletzungen (im Wahrsten Sinne des Wortes) und Herzschmerz. Alles, aber auch wirklich alles drin in der Geschichte und NIE langweilig oder nervend.Der Schreibstil ist so fliesend, sodass man gar nicht bemerkt, dass man schon fast 500 Seiten gelesen hat noch 209 vor sich hat. Ich bin kein Fan von langen endlos Geschichten und ich gebe zu, dass mich die 709 Seiten fast ein Jahr zurück geschreckt haben, aber was für ein Buch!!! Toll und lesenswert, eine echt seltene Bereicherung aus diesem Genre.Das Englisch ist eher für "sehr gute" Kenntnisse, für Anfänger des Original-Lesens, denke ich, nicht ganz so gut geeignet.Die deutsche Version ist "Sturm der Leidenschaft", die alte Version "Betörende Whitney".