Kenneth Rosenberg

I quit reading this book given the author’s outdated and misogynistic description of women. Dialog between two young women, from Chapter One:

“I thought you couldn’t stand him?” Natalia tried not to raise her voice.
“You know he’s a rapist, right?”
“All I know is rumors, just like you.”
“Wouldn’t you like to be raped by him? It might not be so bad, eh?”

Does the author really believe women would say this? It’s insulting, and when I’ve shown this dialog to multiple show more men and women they are horrified. A few responses: “Eww.” “What the actual heck?” “Why do men think women fantasize about being raped?” “What??? No!!” “Yikes!” “This author is clearly clueless and a complete idiot.” “It’s hard to believe someone would actually write this. It’s so gross.” “What?! Am I misreading this? Is this an actual sentence?” “Just no.” show less

Is it possible to find the love of your life as a teenager?
Twelve years after the summer romance, Katherine and Nick find themselves together again. Katherine is an up-and-coming architect who has buried herself in her work to avoid love. No one she meets will ever compare to the lost love of her youth. Nick is a millionaire playboy, always in the tabloids for his exploits. When Nick hires Katherine to build his dream house, Katherine try and resists the attraction that is still between show more them, while Nick tries to convince himself that he has made the right decisions in life.

I like that even as a playboy with the world at his fingertips, even when he makes assumptions and does the most ridiculous things, he does it for the right reasons. He's uncertain, and almost scared about life and making any sort of important decisions. Despite who he is, he is easy to relate to. I enjoyed seeing his mother from Katherine's point of view, from that colored by teenage intimidation to someone almost pathetic in her misery. And when Katherine finally made up her mind (after changing it countless times) she went after what she wanted. Although thoroughly annoying in her naivety, she somehow comes off as likeable. I don't know quite how the author pulled that one off, but it totally works.

The ending dragged a bit, making the reader wonder if it would be another twelve years before the story finally reached a conclusion, but it was worth it in the end. The only thing that was not resolved was a DUI charge (and really, that was just a minor annoyance!) show less

My thoughts:
This book is wonderfully written! Insightful and refreshing! A story of self discovery and the search for what is most important in life!
This is the first true romance that I can remember reading that the author was a man, where I opened the book knowing that the writer was a man and I wondered about perspective and voice. I was impressed. He has shown a fantastic grasp of the intricacies of the emotions of both men and women. Kenneth Rosenberg has created characters that you can show more believe in. He has cast them into a world where money is power (sound familiar?) and the wants and desires of some are disregarded.
The characters are realistic and easy to invest yourself into. The relationships portrayed are lifelike for the characters both when they are young and as they grow older.
The story comes down to the choices between what you really want and what you are willing to fight for versus what is expected or desired by those in positions of power and wealth.
The characters drive the story and keep you turning the pages, but the story itself keeps you holding your breath and hoping.
Of all the supporting characters, Byron stands out the most for me. I think the friendship that he and Kate build is wonderful. I was thrilled when he throws away "the napkin" (you'll have to read it for details!). This action is him making what I believe to be one of the most powerful statements in the book; that he is no sell out and that honor and principles come before money!
I loved Kate, the beautiful and successful architect making it on her own. Nick, what can you say about Nick...spoiled, rich, entitled, gorgeous, expecting. Of course these are what you see on the outside. On the inside they are both sad, unfulfilled, still hoping, still searching, still waiting. Truly worth a read! Don't miss out. show less

This memoir is the kind of travel writing that makes you want to throw a change of clothes into a backpack and join the merchant marine or take off to Tahiti to surf, just two of the adventures the author describes in his journey through life. Along the way he describes his struggles to make a living as a writer, illustrating with clarity the difficulties faced in living a creative life. Be warned, if you are a struggling writer yourself, this book will fill you alternatively with both show more despair and delight. If you are not a writer, you will still enjoy the author's adventures and the perspective he gives into a life unlike those most people have chosen to live. Now I need to check out the rest of his books, particularly having learned so much about the effort and love that went into them. show less