Whitney, My Love (The Westmoreland Dynasty Saga Book 1)

“Missing you?” she giggled incredulously. “I could cheerfully murder you.” It was while reading this novel, that I decided I needed an epic romance shelf. I mean, why can fantasy be categorized as epic, and yet romance is just "romance?" Whitney, My Love had about as many pages as a GOT novel, and every page was just so good. I read romance for the thrill of falling in love, the passion of jealousy, the excitement of being intimate for the first time, and sometimes for the heartbreak and the angst it brings with it. This story captured every one of those, in a breath-taking story in the regency era. God, it was just so amazing, and so engrossing. This was McNaught's debut novel, turned down again and again by agents who thought it was too developed (I know, right?) too sensual, and just plain too 'deep' for women. I think she is one of the leading authors who began this amazing movement in romance, with deeply sensual and compelling stories. Now, that movement has just turned romance into three-fourths sex and one-fourth story, but at least I have many 'bodice rippers' on my bookshelf from the eighties to last me through the apocalypse. “Cheating,” she solemnly replied. “I do it when I cannot win.” It's hard to put into words how much I loved these characters, and how much I was completely engrossed in this story. The banter, the chemistry, and sometimes the hatred - Whitney and Clayton had it all. Whitney was loveable, fierce, quirky, but also young and naive. She believes she's in love with Paul, the local gentleman seven years her senior. She was only fifteen when her forward acts trying to win his love, gets her shipped to her aunt and uncle in France. She grows up, becoming beautiful, and her witty banter makes her become the 'belle of the ball.' The Duke of Claymore is a profligate rake. Richer than God, and one of the most handsome sought after bachelors. The thing I loved about this story, is there might have been extreme attraction from the hero's side, but the heroine doesn't even notice him for a while. She didn't notice him, having not been able to see outside the circle of bachelors surrounding her. It irked the duke, and when he decided he didn't want to court her like the other dandies, he does something shocking. Finding out Whitney's father is destitute, about to be put into debtor's prison, Clayton makes him a deal. Whitey's hand for 100K pounds, but he wants the chance to court her, without her knowing who he is. And the deal is done. The Duke of Claymore becomes Clayton Westland. Small problem, though. Whitney becomes to hate Clayton, still with designs to marry Paul. Whitney, My Love was a rollercoaster of love, lust, jealousy, and possession, with a strong hero, and a witty passionate heroine. Their problems can be frustrating, based on the issues of early relationships: miscommunication, lack of trust, and just not knowing the other so well. But that's just what makes the story so relatable - heartbreaking, and then heart-warming as they fall back together. A beautiful story, with all the conflict, tension, and chemistry, to make this story one of my favorites of all time.

I am an avid reader of novels and I studied English Literature in college but I have never read any book as good and captivating as this. This is the only book other than 'Pride and Prejudice" which I have devoured and savoured again and again for I can't remember how many times. Judith McNaught's flair and skill as a consummate writer is unsurpassed.This book is more intensely passionate and compelling than 'Gone with the Wind' or " Wuthering Height'. It is more witty, sparkling and romantic than'Pride & Prejudice'. It is like a hurricane which sweeps you off your feet.The hero and heroine have their flaws but these won't make them any less lovable but more human and credible.Whitney, the ravishingly beautiful heroine,is intelligent, witty but rebellious and headstrong. she refuses to recognise her own heart and better judgement. She does not appreciate but scorns what is handed to her on a silver platter -- the love of the proud, rich, powerful and devastatingly handsome Duke of Claymore, who offers her the protection of his illustrious name,a place at the pinnacle of society, a life of luxury any girl would die for.She has a school girl crush on a young man in her neighbourhood and under the illusion that she is still in love with him after 3 years,continues to try to win him over at all costs since she is one who does not accept defeat. Therefore she spurns and rejects the courtship of the Duke,Clayton Westmoreland. The Duke is no paragon, but his love for Whitney is very touching. While he can have any woman he wants, he is in love with only one and will only offer for her.In many situations, his patience and tolerance are sorely tried and I can't help feeling sorry for him. The whipping scene, which upsets some readers, does not offend me at all. Rather, it shows the great understanding of human nature and strong character of Clayton.He recognises that he cannot let Whitney walk all over him or else he will never have her respect.Whitney has done something very seriously wrong which can lead to his and the horse's fatality.The whipping is a lesson to a spoilt child, a necessary lesson in her growing up process to be a reasonable and responsible being. He is taming a wild filly just like he does Dangerous Crossing.But he soothes and mollifies her afterwards.Through some twists of fate, the Duke gets blindingly jealous, and in his terrifying wrath, rapes Whitney who has fallen in love with him. Through another misunderstanding, the couple seem destined to heartbreak and unrequited love. Fortunately, Whitney sacrifices her pride to win back the man she loves. After marriage, there is still another trial, but eventually, all ends happily.This book is vastly entertaining with the humor, the sensual seductions and love scenes, the verbal swordplay and witticism.Reading it is just like riding an emotional roller-coaster.There are some heart-wrenching moments but it is so satisfying to see love triumphs after all.It is 'must read' for lovers of novels and romance.

This was McNaught's first novel but she wasn't able to sell it until she had two others published. I have read and reviewed Judith McNaught's other romances and I remain a dedicated fan. She is a brilliant writer and I love her ability to create and maintain sexual tension and weave a wonderful story. But she often makes the hero out to be such a mean cad that it is difficult to like him...ever. In WHITNEY MY LOVE, I thought it would be different. Whitney is a young, spirited intelligent girl of the country gentry who is sent by her hard, unloving father to Paris to live with her aunt and uncle who love her. There she thrives and becomes a gorgeous young ingenue who is loved by Paris society. She has many suitors, among them a Frenchman, Nicholas Du'Ville (Nicki) who is really the one you want her to love. (Typical McNaught--there is often a good guy who loses to the cad in the end.) Meanwhile, Clayton Westmoreland, the Duke of Claymore, becomes enamored with her for her spunk and beauty, and though he has his choice of mistresses both in France and England, he wants her. He doesn't want to compete with her suitors so he does research and finds her father is deeply in debt. He decides to essentially buy her from her father. She is called back to England by her father, but she is not told of the betrothal agreement. Westmoreland goes to the countryside where she lives and buys a small home there and assumes a disguise ostensibly to court her without her being impressed by his title. Here's where the character of the hero is a bit inconsistent. For most of the book, he is patient, humorous and tender. Whitney does not want him, however, preferring her childhood love, Paul, who is rather bland. He finally sees her value although not while she was a youth when she had a huge crush on him. Westmoreland takes all this in stride and woos her rather well actually. She's even starting to realize how much she's attracted to him. But then Westmoreland is disclosed as her betrothed and she rebels at his deception. Just as she realizes Paul is not a good choice for her and begins to see that Westmoreland is the right one (too bad for Nicki, one of Whitney's enemies, a catty female who is jealous of her, tells Westmoreland that she has slept with others (which is not true). Does he ask Whitney about this? No. In a fit of rage, Westmorland violently rapes her. At this point, I didn't see how Whitney could ever get over that. I really don't think a real woman ever would. And, the rape is not consistent with the patient man we've seen thus far. Westmoreland regrets the rape and realizes he loves her but does he do the honorable thing and marry her? Beg for her forgiveness? No, he drops her like a hot rock. See what I mean about his being a cad? Meanwhile, she is despondent and our spirited Whitney turns into a mush ball. She finally gets him back by humbling herself before him in front of his then fiance. And she marries him. But then he does another weird mean cad switch when he misreads a note and believes she'd taken a lover (when did she find the time?) and believes the baby she carries may not even be his. At this point I felt whipsawed. I just couldn't see that happening if they loved each other as the story said they did. It's typical early McNaught...great story, great writing, but a hero who overreacts and abuses the heroine, in this case more than once. Her contemporaries are better and the heroes more likable. Here's the whole Westmoreland Dynasty Saga in the order in which they should be read: * A Kingdom of Dreams (1989) * Whitney, My Love (1985) * Until You (1994) * "Miracles" in A Holiday of Love (1995/Oct) and in Simple Gifts (1997) * Someone Like You (formerly titled: Can't Take My Eyes Off of You) (upcoming 2014?)

Whitney, My Love was my first book by this author because of course I am always late to the party. Since there are plenty of wonderful reviews for this book, I will keep mine short and to the point. I loved this book. I loved Whitney, when she was younger, she was wild and bold, and then she turned into a lovely young lady who still had a defiant temper. I also loved Clayton, he is arrogant, possessive and gets exactly what he wants. Even though this book was really long, every time I put it down, I couldn't wait to pick it up again. So much happened in this book, I smiled, I cried, and my heart broke. The only issue I did have that didn't affect my rating is that in two different instances Clayton's OTT jealousy made for two heart breaking situations. I wish he didn't have such a poor reaction because each time it hurt Whitney deeply. Overall, Whitney, My Love was totally worth the ride and I look forward to reading more books by this author.

This book was recommended to me years ago and it quickly became one of my favorite books. I love the story and how it unfolds. I found myself laughing and crying along with Whitney and Clayton. I have more than one copy of this book in case it ever goes out of print or someone borrows it and return it to me. I love the chemistry between Clayton & Whitney. And I fell in love with Clayton. Even though he made me angry later on in the story,he redeemed himself though. I think He was a strong yet sensitive character. Charming and witty. I loved the way Whitney played hard to get and how she stood up to him. I wish they would make a movie of this story. It is so entertaining. I didn't like something Clayton did in the story later on but I forgave him because it tormented him and caused him such agony I sympathized with him just as I did with Whitney because it traumatized her. I could almost feel their pain and suffering. I can't believe how many people gave it 1-2 stars. If you google it you will see that it is on list of one of the 100 best romance books of all time. Everyone has their own opinions just like with movies. One person may like/love something while another dislikes or hate it. I could not put this book down. I got so into the story. And I am reading it for 3rd time after several years. And I also have it in spanish version.

I give this a 3.5 stars. Usually I would mark that as at least 4 stars, but I had a lot of problems with this book. I was disappointed because in other reviews I have read how great Judith McNaught's books are. I read how great Kingdom of Dreams was and how great Whitney My Love was. I like the way she writes and she has great talent, but her stories have things that make it not as enjoyable for me as it could have been. In Kingdom of Dreams I thought that the heroine just held out to long against the hero and caused unnecessary problems, and I felt the same in this book. I will however go over both the hero and heroine as to issues and problems. Whitney was supposed to be spunky and courageous, but she comes off as a spoiled brat. Some of the stuff she pulls just because she does not get her way is bad. She almost gets Clayton killed but putting him on a horse she knows can break his neck, because she thinks he is arrogant and does not like him. She then goes to hit Clayton with a whip when he is on the horse and she knows the horse gets upset when he even sees a whip. She misses Clayton and hits the horse. If Clayton wasn’t such a good horseman he would have likely been killed, as the horse went wild and took off. That is just an example of how she acts thru out the book. She thinks she was been in love with this guy Paul for years so, and is so blind to the fact that she has to win him, and show everyone she is worth something by finally getting him to love her, she can't see the truth about anything else. She is willing to let her dad go to debtors’ prison just because he made a deal with the Clayton for her to marry Clayton, without asking her, and she wants Paul. She doesn’t care if she runs off and elopes that her dad will go to prison for the money Clayton gave him to pay debtors. She is mostly self-centered thru a good part of the book. Finally when she realizes she has feelings for Clayton and can't marry Paul is when she starts coming around and when Clayton starts being the bad guy. She still does some stupid things. Clayton is a decent guy putting up with Whitney. First I want to say he never beats her as some people say. What they are referring to is the scene were Whitney almost gets him killed on the horse that I spoke of above. Whitney never should have put him on the horse, and never should have had the whip around the horse. When he comes back he takes her behind a tree and then smacks her on the rear once with the whip. He can't bring himself to do more than that. Yes he is arrogant and used to getting his way thru the book, but he mostly just laughs at the stuff she tries to pull, as he sees it as spunk, and knows he will never be bored with her, which is why he wants to marry her. Then comes the part where Whitney turns around and Clayton starts his bad parts. The first is he hears rumors that Whitney has not told Paul that she can't marry him because she has been engaged to Clayton since July, then he hears that she has been having sex with other, and his jealousy eats at him. He pulls her from a party and takes her to his house to forces her to have sex as revenge. He is so mad/jealous and believes she is not a virgin so does nothing to make the way easy for her, and tears into her and makes her cry. As soon as he realizes that she is a virgin he stops and feels horrible for what he has said and done. So he releases her from the engagement knowing she will never forgive him. This is after she has put him thru so much, by playing games I can see why he was furious. Not saying what he did was OK, but after everything else I can see why it pushed him over the edge. She did not realize the full reason he was mad at the time so she gave into him to show him she loved him, not knowing he thought she was not a virgin. So not really a rape though lots of people state it was. It could have been if she struggles, but everyone has their own option. The second bad thing he does is after they are married and in love, she goes to tell him she is pregnant by leaving a baby shirt in a drawer and tells him she left a letter in the drawer she needs to send to her aunt. She ask him to go get it. He looks thru the drawer and finds a letter she wrote to him, that she was going to send him to him a couple of months after the first bad thing happen. In it she lied and said she was pregnant and needed to see him. She had decided not to send that latter and instead sent another saying she just needed to see him, and would go to his house the next day. Which is when she went and told him she loved him. So when he sees the letter he believes first that she only made up with him because she thought she was pregnant with someone else's baby. Second he already knows she is pregnant now, and so thinks that she has been acting with him, and is probably carrying someone else's baby now. He treats her horribly and says he does not want the baby. He never gives her a chance to explain again, just like when he did the first bad thing. I want to say she should have stopped the book after they got married, and never included the last bad thing he did. The book is 700 pages long so not like we needed those last 80 - 100 pages. Second there are too many thing just wrong with the book. Like she has no idea what a guy has to complete the act to get pregnant. It also has her aunt saying that she is sure it has to be against the law for a Whitney to be forced to marry the Duke, when arranged marriages where still the thing bad then. Not saying if she did refused to say yes at the altar, they might not have been able to complete the marriage, but she made it sound in the book like every girls gets to choose who she wants to marry, and that is the norm. Women were still pretty much forced to marry who their father said, like the girl at the end who Stephen was interested in. I do not believe just because the girl’s father made her marry that guy immediately, before Stephen could have formally asked for her hand in marriage, meant he still wouldn't have had issues with the Westmoreland's. Also Whitney's reputation would have been damaged several times by the end of the book, by things that happened with Clayton. Especially since he was a known womanizer before he met her. These type of things usually do not bother me, but since I had issue with the book, it just added on to the bad things. If you changed a couple of things, I would have given it a better rating. Also for those that like the sex scenes, other than the almost forced scene at around page 400, there is not sex until page 600. There is a little bit of touching in one other spot however. I also forgot to say that Clayton and Whitney do not really even see each other until after page 100. The first 100 pages are about Whitney. How Whitney is an unmanageable child between 14 -16 then she gets shipped off to France for four years. About her in France changing to become a lady, and taking Paris by storm so she can go back home and win Paul the guy she was in love with, who wasn't in love with her. She was pretty much a stalker of this guy before she was sent away. I do not care for books where it is a while before the hero and heroine even meet. Sex content low/medium.

judith mcnaught is one of my all time favorite writers, if not my favorite. she grabs you by the thoat and drags you into the story to the point that is very hard to put down. whitney, my love is second only to "Perfect" , another novel she wrote. actually i can think of another.."almost heaven" that was nearly as good as whitney.... i can not believe the one star reviews i read. Clayton was a wonderful character, as was Whitney. neither was perfect, because no one is, especially in real life. but you could feel, really FEEL the love they had growing for each other. much of the troubles they had came from misunderstandings .. nothing more. all i can say for the one's that did not like this book, is.. they must have a pretty black and white perception of the world, making no room for the grey areas...or reasons why things happen. i have always had the belief that if a person throws a chair across the room and breaks your very valuable Ming vase.... its better to ask why they felt the need to throw the chair in the first place, instead of worrying about your damn vase.. yes, i know someone out there is going to bring up things like jeffery dalmer.... im not talking about the insane, or mentally disturbed out there. this book is so very good. i hope the one star people dont sway anyone from reading this very talented writers book. it would be a shame to pass this one up.

I was sucked into this book and couldn't put it down. Love love loved it. I read the second book months ago first and forgot that it was a series. I was in a slump, and this book saved me. I was confused at first because I thought Nikki would be the love interest. Then all of a sudden the hero makes an entrance.

Den Inhalt wieder zugeben ist eine langwierige Sache, deshalb hier ein Versuch: Mädchen hat Backfisch-Liebe Paul seit Kindertagen. Mädchen ist im Dorf und beim Vater nicht beliebt, weil Wildfang. Mädchen wird nach Paris zur Tante und Onkel ,abgeschoben` um Schlief zu bekommen. Mädchen wird zum beliebtesten Mädchen des französischen Tons und ein stattlicher Rake-Duke begehrt sie heimlich. Duke nimmt Kontakt zum mittlerweile hoch Verschuldeten Vater auf und "kauft" Mädchen für sich als Verlobte ein. Duke lernt Mädchen in England dann Inkognito kennen und will Mädchen von der Backfischliebe Paul emotional entfernen und eben Inkognito für sich gewinnen. Mädchen wird nun doch von Paul begehrt, weil jetzt hübsch und Damenhaft (und mit großer Mitgift). Mädchen erfährt von der erkauften Verlobung mit dem Duke und dass dieser versuchte sie Inkognito zu gewinnen. Mädchen muß sich auf Zeitspiel einlassen und Duke auf Verführung der Zukünftigen. Mädchen erfährt, das Paul nur an ihrer Mitgift interessiert war. Mädchen erkennt, dass sie den Duke liebt. Durch Mißverständnis meint Duke von Mädchen verschaukelt worden zu sein und rächt sich an Mädchen. Duke erkennt nach böser Rache, dass er falsch gelegen hat und Mädchen hasst ihn jetzt. Duke und Mädchen auf lange Zeit hin verzweifelt und dann sind beide Vergebungsvoll. Duke macht aber erneut Fehler und Mädchen hasst ihn erneut. Missverständnis klärt sich auf, aber nun ist alles zu spät... oder? Duke entpuppt sich als ein echt sturer Bock! Diese "Whitney. My Love" Version ist kein Reprint von der 1987er Version sondern eine überarbeitet/verbesserte Version, welche die Autorin 15 Jahren nach erscheinen der ersten Version angefertigt hat, mit einem wohl verlängertem und verbesserten Ende. Da ich die alte Version nicht kenne, kann ich dazu nicht viel sagen, aber diese ist - mit 709 Seiten!- es wert gelesen zu werden. Bei 709 Seiten habe ich durchaus Längen, nervende Nebenhandlungen und unnütze Verwicklungen erwartet. Aber alles weit gefehlt, es ist ein echter "Pageturner"! Man weiß ja, dass es ein Happy-End geben muß, aber wie und wann es endlich dazu kommt, das wird eben auf 709 Seiten ausführlich erzählt und vor allem "entwickelt!". Und genau deshalb ist so spannend zu lesen, dass man fast Urlaub nehme möchte um es auslesen zu können, weil man einfach ständig wissen will und muß, wie es weiter läuft. Ich war begeistert über die lang Charakter- und Plotentwicklung der Charaktere und der Beziehungen, Nebenhandlungen, Mißverständsnisse, Verleumdungen, Verletzungen (im Wahrsten Sinne des Wortes) und Herzschmerz. Alles, aber auch wirklich alles drin in der Geschichte und NIE langweilig oder nervend. Der Schreibstil ist so fliesend, sodass man gar nicht bemerkt, dass man schon fast 500 Seiten gelesen hat noch 209 vor sich hat. Ich bin kein Fan von langen endlos Geschichten und ich gebe zu, dass mich die 709 Seiten fast ein Jahr zurück geschreckt haben, aber was für ein Buch!!! Toll und lesenswert, eine echt seltene Bereicherung aus diesem Genre. Das Englisch ist eher für "sehr gute" Kenntnisse, für Anfänger des Original-Lesens, denke ich, nicht ganz so gut geeignet. Die deutsche Version ist "Sturm der Leidenschaft", die alte Version "Betörende Whitney".

This is the first book which Judith McNaught has written and it is classic! Revolving infatuation, desire, lust, love, treachery, betrayal all roll into one! I love it when Whitney softened Clayton's heart and made him want her. It was frustrating at times especially when he practically raped her and after knowing that she was innocent, he let her go and did not marry her to honor her virture! For what they went through, and with help of family and friends - Dowager Duchess of Claymore and Stephen Westmoreland's help to get him back with her. It was a wonderful way to end the story with happiness and love!

This great story is let down by the poor quality of the kindle version. Something has gone awry with the technology; there are numerous errors in the text. This makes for a frustrating read! 5 stars for the great story & 2 for the technology

One of my faves!

il y quleques livres dans une vie qu'il faut avoir lu. celui ci en fait partie. une intrigue à rebondissements , les quelques 400 pages dans la langue de Shakespeare se lisent sans difficultés . pas de temps morts et aussi la différence qu'il peut y avoir un amour de jeunesse avec toutes les images et la naivete de celui ci à un amour adulte ou il était question de l'acceptation de l'autre . je recommande ce livre à 300 pour cent . dommage que six étoiles n'existent pas !