Katherine Stone (1) (1949–)

A sweet beach read with a far-fetched but lovable plot, impossibly adorable characters and excessive use of italics. I'm really quite torn about this because I should despise this clichéd trope, but I don't. I just lose myself in the story and suspend all disbelief. Seriously the only things that took me out of the reading trance was the aforementioned italics (i.e. Peter:"Is this too late to call?" Allison: "No" No time is too late, ever. Peter: "Would you--?" Allison: "Yes" Yes to show more anything. Me: throwing up), as well as the fact that they use each others names in dialogue far, far more often than anyone does in real life. Except possibly rich people in the '80s. I have no way of knowing as I wasn't there. ("Peter, I love you." "Peter, I wouldn't know what to say." "Winter, I am very much in love with Peter." show less

Despite the fact that Stone's plots are over the top and prose rather flowery (or perhaps because of?), I adore her books. This was another solid read from her. I really enjoyed the characters and the overall storyline. The drama, the romance, the betrayals and acceptance - all of it was well done.

"He had made a vow [to her] that other time. I must leave her alone. She is too good, too precious.
But now he broke it. Because she kissed him back? Perhaps. And because, as they kissed, she made him feel good and precious, too. And because of his faraway dreams of joy, of home, of her."

Originally published in the 80s, Roommates—recently revived and republished—is an enrapturing, gratifying journey that magnificently illustrates the soaring highs and gloomy lows of the college show more experience, and how it has the sheer power to change lives forever.

The story begins Carrie's freshman year, set at Stanford, and immediately picks up on the lives of her roommates, the phenomenal actress Megan, and the devastating beauty and brains, Beth, as well. Carrie's imminent "flaw"—her tenacious and resilient loving, despite the occasional rejection—sets her up for a world of possibilities in college, as well as a whole new realm of heartbreak. However, Roommates is not just Carrie's story; it's Megan's, it's Beth's, it's her brother, Stephen's, and it's the mysterious and brooding Jake's. Their individual plots all overlap, and the relationships between these five Stanford students, are unmistakably laced together—and forever will be. This makes for a very complicated, very intricate web of a story. I found it a little too soap opera-esque for my taste, but have to admit how well-concocted it is—Katherine Stone is a flawless writer with such a compelling, lyrical voice.

I like how there's a bit of a thriller subplot that doesn't make the book solely about romance; it was refreshing and gripping, although nothing terribly exciting. As with most of Stone's novels, the depiction of love is cloyingly sweet, grandly optimistic, and rather chaste. If you don't like the guaranteed happily-ever-after story line and the inherently perfect cast of characters (seriously... all of them are attractive, nice, smart, generous, brave, etc. etc.), then you may want to stay away from this book. As for me, I do quite enjoy the spice in novels of today's time, but I still enjoyed Roommates's mellow, sentimental tone.

For a glittering narrative that spans not only the young adulthoods of five unforgettable characters, but also their creeping pasts and unpredictable later lives in 1970s America, definitely give Roommates a try.

Pros: Beautiful style // Well-explored, lovable characters // Evocative of the decade and the campus spirit of Stanford // Nice blend of romance, passion, and drama // Connections between characters satisfyingly elaborated upon and probed // Jake's difficult past and his emotional turmoil particularly resonated with me // Juicy plot twist I never saw coming

Cons: Every character (aside from the obvious villain) is good-natured through and through, which I found unusual // A bit too sugary sweet... but that's the appeal! // On the wordy side... not the kind of book you can read in one sitting

Love: "He had told her the truth, every truth, with no omissions. It was a factual recounting, without embellishment, the skeleton without the heart. But to the woman who was listening, and who was hearing his every word with a heart that loved him, the aching details, the ravaged emotions, were there."

Verdict: There's plenty of suspense and danger, as well as love, light, and laughter to go around in the hopelessly romantic—and fabulously nostalgic—Roommates. Days of Our Lives meets a tame, university-level Breakfast Club in an all-American story that flows like magic and is bound to captivate fans of conventional love stories. If you pine for a good ol' traditional romance, then Katherine Stone's 1987 novel—which just happens to be the prolific author's first—is THE book for you.

Rating: 7 out of 10 hearts (4 stars): Not perfect, but overall enjoyable.

Source: Complimentary copy provided by author in exchange for an honest and unbiased review (thank you, Katherine!). show less

Jesse and Patrick Falconer are twins, estranged since they were 19. Patrick is now a surgeon and Jesse writes 'erotic thrillers.' Caitlyn Taylor, whose mother died of heart problems when she was 16 and never knew her father, is also a heart surgeon and Patrick's 'adoptive' little sister. ('Adoptive' is in quotes, because this is an agreement between them and not a legal-type adoption). Caitlyn's friend from college, Amanda Prentice is a psychiatrist at the hospital where Patrick and Caitlyn show more work as well. When Patrick gets sick and needs a marrow transplant, Caitlyn tracks Jesse down to convince him to be Patrick's donor.
Each of these characters have a secret and horrific past that is revealed throughout the book, through excessive and sometimes confusing flashbacks. It's not always clear what information exactly is being revealed to the other characters who are present at the time of the flashback, and what is just revealed to the reader. Also, these characters have an inexplicable tendency to imagine and articulate what is about to happen, in a way that is not evidently clear that these are speculations, and not what is actually happening next. However, despite these things, the plot is excellent and the characters are intriguing, with fascinating back stories. Actually, I'm kind of sorry that there aren't two books, one with Patrick and Amanda as the focus, and one about Caitlyn and Jesse. My only other...not complaint, so much...maybe reservation, is that the interconnectedness of all the individuals in the book is a little too coincidental to be believed. It's just a little too convenient and pat. I have to say, though, I that I thoroughly enjoyed the book anyway. A couple parts even brought tears to my eyes. Stone is an imaginative and evocative writer, whose only fault may be being a little too...imaginative. show less