Taming Natasha

I didn't make it very far, DNF because holy crap, the head-hopping was constant, worse than the one Beverly Jenkins novel I tried. Getting all the characters' thoughts makes me feel like a telepathic eavesdropper. The distraction from whoever is supposed to be the main character is constant, and distancing. I can't care, I don't know whose mind I'll be in in the next paragraph!

Taming Natasha
3.5 Stars

Natasha Stanislaski, a toy store owner, relishes the peace and quiet of her small West Virginia town until the hero, Spencer Kimball, and his young daughter, bring disorder to her orderly life.

This is one of Nora Roberts' older Silhouette releases and follows a predictable category romance formula. While both Natasha and Spencer are likable overall, their chemistry is not as strong as in some of Nora's later works. Spencer also has a slightly domineering personality, but this is not uncommon in the romance genre, and his relationship with his daughter is delightful.

Christine Traister's narration of the audiobook is charming although her Ukrainian accent does make Natasha sound much older than her years.

All in show more all, this is a light and satisfying read with Nora's trademark writing and characterization. The rest of the series focuses on the other Stanislaski siblings and one or two offspring. I look forward to Mikhail's story next. show less

Spence Kimball has moved to a smaller town to teach, anywhere is basically smaller than his former residence in New York. He's trying to create a more intimate life for himself and his young daughter, a chance for her to have more freedom and maybe grow up a little less sheltered. In the town there is a Toy Shop owned by Natasha Stanislaski. When they meet there's some confusion and attraction when Natasha mistakes Spence's sister for his wife and is annoyed when he chats her up. They have to overcome that obstacle first, the next obstacle is her past where she lost a child and was heartbroken by the man she thought was the love of her life.

I liked how it wasn't easy, how the two of them had to work out their problems and issues before show more coming together and you know that these issues will rear their heads again but that the two of them will work it out again. I enjoyed the re-read, even if I didn't really remember the first reading. show less

This is really a 2.5, rather than a 3. Good characters, with more going on with supporting people as well as the main ones. Not original, but warm and happy etc, right until it just loses everything towards the end. Disappointed, because I like them but I won't be reading the rest of this series.

This book feels a bit dated in places for 2021 but then it was written in 1990. Keeping that in mind, it's a quick read and pretty good. I prefer Nora Roberts Celtic romances more, but still this was worth reading.

What's not to like about a book from Nora Roberts?

Natasha Stanislaski is a young woman who's only trying to live her life the best way possible. Having a hurtful past, full of deceit and pain, she decided to relocate to a small town and open a toy store. All is well until Spencer Kimball arrives with lovely Freddy.
Spencer is plagued by guilt and remorse from his past choices but now is up to it. A single parent, a college music professor and a very attractive man, he's the one to break Natasha walls.

I love Nora Roberts because of the family concept she presents to us. Loud, confusing, normal happy families, big on their love and affection for themselves and the others. The gathering on holidays, the sense of understanding, of acceptance show more is very vivid on her stories and, for me, this is a major point.
The small towns, the people. The way she writes about love is some sort of poetry, leaving it to our imagination and turning the story into something we want to live in. show less

Enjoyable romance, wasn't very keen on Spence to start with, I thought he was a bit pushy, but I warmed to him over the course of the book. Loved his daughter, a really cute character. Whilst I've read a few of Nora Roberts' books this was the first of her Silhouette titles that I'd tried, I think I prefer her others but would definitely read more of this series.