Title: A Kingdom of Dreams

Author: Judith McNaught

Series: Westmoreland Saga #1

Release Date: March 1, 1989

Length: 438 pages

Genre: Historical Romance

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***My Review***

A Kingdom of Dreams by Judith McNaught is a classic historical romance novel that is sure to capture your heart from the very beginning. Set in 15th-century England and Scotland, the story follows the journey of a proud English Duke named Royce Westmoreland and a beautiful Scottish noblewoman named Jennifer Merrick.

The story begins with Jennifer being abducted from her convent school by Royce, her clan’s sworn enemy, known as “The Wolf.” Jennifer is a strong-willed woman who refuses to surrender to the fierce English warrior, who holds her captive. She challenges his will, but she finds herself ensnared in a seductive and dangerous trap of pride, passion, loyalty, and love. What will happen at the end?

This historical romance novel is simply stunning, with a complex and intricate plot that’s full of surprises and twists. It encompasses everything I could ever want in a book, including romance, adventure, intrigue, angst, deceit, betrayal, and sacrifice.

Throughout the story, there are numerous heart-wrenching and emotional encounters, characterized by both harsh and beautiful words and actions, which lead to misunderstandings, hot love scenes, and intense passion.

“A Kingdom of Dreams” is excellently written, featuring a host of memorable characters such as Aunt Elinor, the knights, and the mysterious Arik. From the waving flags and cheering crowds to the clattering hooves and longing glances, the book is brimming with palpable desire and deep, languorous kisses that left me completely spellbound.

As I journeyed through the book, I found myself experiencing a range of emotions, from exhilarating joy to profound sadness and despair. I couldn’t believe I hadn’t discovered this gem of a novel sooner.

What I particularly liked was that rather than simply forcing the hero and heroine together, the storyline presents various layers to add complexity and maintain interest beyond the usual romantic cliches. In addition to the hero’s family drama, there is also the history of Jennifer’s mistreatment and how it led to her capture.

In the genre of historical romance, works that incorporate humor often stand out, and “A Kingdom of Dreams” achieves that through witty dialogue and banter among the characters. While some aspects may seem overly sentimental, the authentic chemistry between the hero and heroine keeps the passion alive enough to look past any such flaws.

Moreover, as I mentioned the characters are impressively well-developed and intricate for this genre. Definitely, one of the strengths of this book is the way that McNaught portrays her characters. Royce is a complex, multifaceted character who is both strong and vulnerable. He is a man who has been hurt in the past, and he carries that pain with him wherever he goes.

Furthermore, Royce proved to be an exceptional hero despite my initial lack of enthusiasm toward him. Gradually, he won me over and I was able to comprehend and pardon his past actions, which is a significant achievement for me because I typically don’t condone heroes who harm the heroine.

Jennifer, on the other hand, is a strong, independent woman who refuses to be cowed by Royce’s dominance. She is a character who is easy to root for, and the reader can’t help but admire her strength and courage. Furthermore, my feelings towards her were mixed throughout the book – at times, I felt a strong desire to comfort her, while at other times, I felt like shouting at her. Nonetheless, I eventually came to sympathize with and adore her as well. (By the way, I’m not an expert in history, but I find “Jennifer” to be an unconventional name for a medieval heroine.)

The writing style in this book is also top-notch. McNaught’s prose is elegant and poetic, and she has a way of describing emotions and feelings that is both evocative and relatable. Her descriptions of the Scottish countryside are particularly beautiful, and she transports the reader to a world that is both romantic and dangerous.

Another aspect of the book that is particularly well done is the historical setting. McNaught has clearly done her research, and she brings the world of 15th-century England and Scotland to life with vivid detail. The political tensions between the two countries are woven seamlessly into the narrative, and the reader gets a real sense of what life was like during this tumultuous period.

However, there are also a few areas where the book falls short. For one, the pacing can be a bit slow at times. While the tension between Royce and Jennifer is palpable from the beginning, there are points in the story where the plot seems to drag on. Additionally, some readers may find Jennifer’s behavior frustrating at times, as she can be quite stubborn and headstrong.

Despite these minor flaws, “A Kingdom of Dream” is a classic historical romance novel that is sure to capture your heart from the very beginning. It’s a tale of love, passion, and loyalty set against the backdrop of a tumultuous period in history. McNaught’s vivid descriptions and complex characters make this book a must-read for any fan of historical romance.

Overall, “A Kingdom of Dream” is a classic historical romance novel that is sure to capture your heart from the very beginning. It is a story of love, loyalty, and passion set against the backdrop of a dangerous and tumultuous time in history. If you are a fan of the genre, then this book is a must-read.