The House

Main character, Sarah Anderson is an estate attorney with a PT boyfriend when the story begins. At 38, she lives in a dirty, dingy apartment with stained furniture from college yet is a PARTNER in a law firm. COME ON! She gets home from work yet for hours in the evening does nothing. No hobbies, doesn't work out, no friends, a dysfunctional relationship with her mom (but her grandmother is a saint.)Then here comes the main thrust of the plot: Sarah inherits 750K from a client and makes the decision to buy a 30,000 sq. home that needs to be renovated. THE COST of that project even if she could do part of it would be in the hundreds of thousands if not millions, not to mention the upkeep, heating, cooling, annual TAXES, etc. I've bought and completed such projects. A 2,500 sq. house isn't cheap to flip. Plus borrowing money to close in three days????Did the author do ANY RESEARCH? I'm skeptical.The writing style of tell everything is amateurish. I don't care if Steel has sold books that make it to the NY Bestseller Lists and made into movies, this one is horrendous. How many times can 'said with interest' or a reference about tears slowly rolling down her cheeks or how Jeff is SUCH A WONDERFUL man be made. And how the elderly client keep thinking about Sarah, her skin, her face, it was CREEPY!!!There is zero sense of suspense or tightening of the plot. Not once did I question, oh how will this end?The cherry on a terrible romance came when the protagonist gets pregnant by mistake. Sarah keeps saying she wants to kill herself.It only get worse when Sarah runs into her old boyfriend who cheated on her and mentally refers to his new girlfriend, a twenty-something, as a bimbo. Steele casts Sarah as a boring, woman-hater. Just because Sarah befriended an elderly client does not make her a nice person. Just because she supposedly went to Harvard, etc (which her mother paid for. Hate to say it, but if Sarah was so smart she'd been awarded a scholarship. Again, no research or insight.) doesn't make her a thoughtful, insightful, or even smart when it comes to life. Sarah is made out to be self-serving, has little self-respect, needs therapy to help her deal with her parent issues, which would be a healthy way for the author to support this heroine.How about Jeff, would've had an affair with Sarah. Ding, ding! Huge sign he has no morals or scruples. Jeff keeps calling women 'so cute' but acts weird when as if joking about marrying the grandma over and over and over and over again. Steel writes these scenes as if they're witty and would tickle a reader. Here's a word: annoying. It's overplayed. The entire story a trite old-fashioned romance that had several interesting story lines which Steele glossed over. If this is the product of an author who writes everyday, for hours at a time, then here's a suggestion. Take a break. The saying less is more really has some weight.And let's not dive into all the repeated details. Said once, then said again a few paragraphs later???? Editor needed big, big, big time!The House (even the title is wrong and suggests something entirely different!) belongs in the relics of a sales bin from the 1970s. I want my money back and the wasted time I lost to this nonsense! This book was written 17 years ago. It really needs a content warning: obsolete romance story line. Readers with a brain, need not apply!P.S. I've read Linda Howard's romances written well-before 2006 and they stand the test of time.LESS ZERO STARS. NEGATIVE TEN!!!

HELLO AMAZON..... RECV BOOK IN VERY GOOD ORDER. IT IS A NEW BOOK....GREAT

If you are like me You would like to be retained have a happytear roll down your cheek and meet Amino' required words to end this reviiew, and believe that this book meets the requirements for this review? Ray O.

A trio of wonderful women, a generous and much loved benefactor and a house full of magical history. It all comes together and the story brings all the threads of generations to light. A must read for all fans...I couldn't put it down.

Ms. Steel's writing style has greatly improved over the years. Three cheers for her!

I expected the book to be in a little better shape than it was but otherwise you know complaints markings on most of the pages things like that

I liked the theme of the story. One act of kindness can turn your life around.

A successful lawyer works hard for her clients and does as they want, particularly when the client is as rich as all get out. Her client is nearly 100 years old and has no one t o leave his sizable estate to because he never married. He was always telling his female lawyer to get out and socialize. Life is about more than earning money. He leaves her some money and encourages her spred her wings. This is a delightful novel with strong characters who exhiibit everyday values.

Steele does not disappoint with this one. You totally are wrapped in the lives of this book. Loved the reach back in time and see it all come together in the end. Must read for DS fans!

Daniele Steele another wonderful story... worth reading her books..

Recommended to Power Play...of which I was enthralled....has me reading one after the other of her books....shall be sorry when I come to the end of her selection

I ordered this book to complete my collection, when I discovered my original copy was missing. Received as promised.Very satisfied. Thanks!

Very different from her other ones would definitely read it again