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Lone Eagle
Danielle Steel's fifty-first bestselling novel tells the story of an extraordinary man, the woman who loved him, and a bond so powerful it could never be broken. It is about finding the courage to let someone you love fly free....
The phone call came on a snowy December afternoon. Kate was certain it was Joe, the brilliant, visionary man who had been her soulmate, her driving force since the night they met, almost thirty-four years before. What she got was the one call she had never wanted, and didn't expect.
As the snow continued to fall, Kate's mind drifted back, to the moment when she and Joe first met. She had been just seventeen and he was young, powerful, dazzling, and different from any man she'd ever known.
It was just days before Christmas, 1940. The war is raging in Europe when Kate Jamison makes her debut in New York City. In a room filled with the scions of East Coast society and the leading political figures of the day, it is Joe Allbright who catches Kate's eye.
At twenty-nine, Joe is the brilliant protege of Charles Lindbergh, and already a legend in flying circles for his record-breaking speed and state-of-the-art airplane designs. All Kate sees is a tall, strikingly handsome man who seems at once awkward and larger-than-life, like a shining star--just out of reach. Joe, too, is caught off balance by his response to Kate, seeing in this beautiful young woman vitality and youth, the lifelong soulmate he never expected to find.
As the months pass, they will meet again, forging a bond that will set the course of both their lives. Kate will go off to study at Radcliffe. Joe will skyrocket to fame in modern aviation. Joe's planes are his life, his passion. But irresistibly drawn to her, like moth to flame, he always comes back to Kate. Even after the long, dark years of World War II, when Kate was sure she had finally lost him completely, Joe returns. Never willing to stay, always needing to fly away. As planes are for him, Joe is the passion in her life.
When the war is over, at twenty-four Kate wants marriage and a family. Joe wants the world, his limitless horizons, and the unique aviation empire he is building. Unwilling to wait any longer, Kate moves on with her life. But when a chance encounter brings them together again, the time has finally come to make a choice, one that will have profound consequences for them both for the rest of their lives.
Against a vivid backdrop of war and thrilling innovation, Danielle Steel breathes life into history, weaving an intensely human story that spans three decades, of two intensely different people who, in spite of themselves, are irrevocably woven into the fabric of each other's lives.
With rare insight and emotional power, she brings to life a tale of unconditional love, sacrifice, and compromise--the joining of two remarkable halves into a single, far more powerful whole. It is a novel of extraordinary grace and compassion from a master storyteller, perhaps the best story she has told.
The phone call came on a snowy December afternoon. Kate was certain it was Joe, the brilliant, visionary man who had been her soulmate, her driving force since the night they met, almost thirty-four years before. What she got was the one call she had never wanted, and didn't expect.
As the snow continued to fall, Kate's mind drifted back, to the moment when she and Joe first met. She had been just seventeen and he was young, powerful, dazzling, and different from any man she'd ever known.
It was just days before Christmas, 1940. The war is raging in Europe when Kate Jamison makes her debut in New York City. In a room filled with the scions of East Coast society and the leading political figures of the day, it is Joe Allbright who catches Kate's eye.
At twenty-nine, Joe is the brilliant protege of Charles Lindbergh, and already a legend in flying circles for his record-breaking speed and state-of-the-art airplane designs. All Kate sees is a tall, strikingly handsome man who seems at once awkward and larger-than-life, like a shining star--just out of reach. Joe, too, is caught off balance by his response to Kate, seeing in this beautiful young woman vitality and youth, the lifelong soulmate he never expected to find.
As the months pass, they will meet again, forging a bond that will set the course of both their lives. Kate will go off to study at Radcliffe. Joe will skyrocket to fame in modern aviation. Joe's planes are his life, his passion. But irresistibly drawn to her, like moth to flame, he always comes back to Kate. Even after the long, dark years of World War II, when Kate was sure she had finally lost him completely, Joe returns. Never willing to stay, always needing to fly away. As planes are for him, Joe is the passion in her life.
When the war is over, at twenty-four Kate wants marriage and a family. Joe wants the world, his limitless horizons, and the unique aviation empire he is building. Unwilling to wait any longer, Kate moves on with her life. But when a chance encounter brings them together again, the time has finally come to make a choice, one that will have profound consequences for them both for the rest of their lives.
Against a vivid backdrop of war and thrilling innovation, Danielle Steel breathes life into history, weaving an intensely human story that spans three decades, of two intensely different people who, in spite of themselves, are irrevocably woven into the fabric of each other's lives.
With rare insight and emotional power, she brings to life a tale of unconditional love, sacrifice, and compromise--the joining of two remarkable halves into a single, far more powerful whole. It is a novel of extraordinary grace and compassion from a master storyteller, perhaps the best story she has told.
480 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 2001
About the author
Danielle Steel
868 books15.5k followersDanielle Steel has been hailed as one of the world's bestselling authors, with almost a billion copies of her novels sold. Her many international bestsellers include All That Glitters, Royal, Daddy's Girls, The Wedding Dress, The Numbers Game, Moral Compass, Spy, and other highly acclaimed novels. She is also the author of His Bright Light, the story of her son Nick Traina's life and death; A Gift of Hope, a memoir of her work with the homeless; Expect a Miracle, a book of her favorite quotations for inspiration and comfort; Pure Joy, about the dogs she and her family have loved; and the children's books Pretty Minnie in Paris and Pretty Minnie in Hollywood.
Facebook.com/DanielleSteelOfficial
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Instagram: @officialdaniellesteel
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 237 reviews
July 7, 2012
This has to be the most despicable group of characters Danielle Steele has ever assembled (and that says a lot!). The male main character was a selfish pompous jerk, and the female was a spineless weepy adulterous. We are supposed to believe Joe is forever traumatized because his cousins were mean to him as a child? Grow up, you big pansy. How are we supposed to pull for these people?? The only redeeming character was made to look like a jerk because he, God forbid, tried to keep his wife from leaving him with their son, nonetheless. How dare he! Even for light-hearted garbage reading (which I love), this is unacceptable. I am a pilot myself, and cannot imagine my husband's reaction if I told him he was tying me down, holding me back, and I just had to be free. I am so tired of these books romanticizing abusive, possessive men (Twilight, 50 Shades, etc.). Ok, sorry, I'm done.
June 12, 2015
"Ples je bio gotov, ali se nikada neće završiti." Divna knjiga!
Malo me nerviralo to što Džo nije znao šta hoće od života i to što se mijenjao kao vremenska prognoza ovih dana u Sarajevu, al sveukupni dojam 4.7 Naslovnica predivna, radnja, priča, sve odlično. Volim ovu knjigicuuu :)
Malo me nerviralo to što Džo nije znao šta hoće od života i to što se mijenjao kao vremenska prognoza ovih dana u Sarajevu, al sveukupni dojam 4.7 Naslovnica predivna, radnja, priča, sve odlično. Volim ovu knjigicuuu :)
February 16, 2024
Lagi-lagi aku kecewa dgn novel author ini. Awalnya sih fine-fine aja, dgn setting pre-WWII di AS. MC nya adalah Kate, gadis debutante yg bertemu dgn cinta pertamanya, Joe Albright. Cinta mrk turun naik krn beda usia mrk terpaut cukup jauh. Lagipula Joe masuk militer sbg pilot penerbang AU. Sempat terkendala saat Joe ditangkap musuh, namun akhirnya mrk bisa bersatu lagi.
Dan mulailah karakter Joe berkembang mjd makin egoistis dan terlalu workaholic. Joe cuma ingin memiliki relationship dgn Kate tanpa menjalin hubungan hingga tingkat pernikahan. Sedangkan Kate merasa dikejar umur, khas wanita pd masa itu, ingin memiliki anak². Dan stl 2 thn "digantung" dan Joe menegaskan Kate bukan prioritas teratasnya, Kate memilih putus dan menikah dgn Andy, pria yg sejak dulu mengincarnya.
Krn kedua MC nya menyebalkan dan tidak pantas dikagumi, maka saya memutuskan memberi 🌟 agak rendah. Walaupun setting 1940-1950an nya lumayan. Novel tipe coming of age dgn sentuhan romance ini rada bikin kezel walaupun in reality pasti banyak pasangan model Kate & Joe ini, apalagi di Indonesia. Tapi gak patut diteladani sih bagi gw.
Dan mulailah karakter Joe berkembang mjd makin egoistis dan terlalu workaholic. Joe cuma ingin memiliki relationship dgn Kate tanpa menjalin hubungan hingga tingkat pernikahan. Sedangkan Kate merasa dikejar umur, khas wanita pd masa itu, ingin memiliki anak². Dan stl 2 thn "digantung" dan Joe menegaskan Kate bukan prioritas teratasnya, Kate memilih putus dan menikah dgn Andy, pria yg sejak dulu mengincarnya.
Krn kedua MC nya menyebalkan dan tidak pantas dikagumi, maka saya memutuskan memberi 🌟 agak rendah. Walaupun setting 1940-1950an nya lumayan. Novel tipe coming of age dgn sentuhan romance ini rada bikin kezel walaupun in reality pasti banyak pasangan model Kate & Joe ini, apalagi di Indonesia. Tapi gak patut diteladani sih bagi gw.
May 22, 2020
Umm, it's strange to finish this book and write a review which is not what I'd expect from any Danielle Steel novels. But to be honest this book more than disappointed me. The statements in the book are so repetitive that it felt like there was less content than shown. The characters seem to be perfectly normal yet their actions are not. And it was like looking at a male dominant point of view on relationships and marriage. Somehow the author transferred all the blame of anything that went wrong between the protagonist couple on the female character. Making her apologize and feeling sorry for her very natural desires. And again made the male character more of a teacher and a symbol of perfection even after all his unrealistically stupid decisions. Maybe I'm missing a point. But not a happy read for me :(
August 7, 2021
Another good Danielle Steel read.... Set in 1940,and revolves around Kate & Joe and most of the story went pretty much year by year for the first 15 years. An enjoyable fast read.
August 31, 2020
Impresionante historia de amor. Todo comienza en un baile de sociedad...hasta donde puede llegar la pasión??? Ideal para el otoño que se acerca.....
January 14, 2013
Even for DS standards novel this wasn't great, but suited my desire for my beach house read, and I still have a week to go so the desire is still there! This story was flat, and with the constant toing and froing between the two leads was annoying, probably better for a Sweet Valley High novel! Very very very repetitious, and the re explaining every time they broke up and reunited. Not one of her best, but that's ok cause we don't have too high expectations but it does suit us for other reasons. I use 'we' and 'us' as I know this is how other readers think, no excuses need to be made for reading DS, although I did for a while!! It suits a purpose, come on, admit it!!
January 13, 2012
AMAZING BOOK! This was my first Danielle Steel book and I loved it! I think though the book was frustrating at times and I wasn't always in love with the characters, she made it very true to real life! Things are constantly changing and we're forced to make decision we would rather not think about. And then at the end I just cried myself to sleep! If you do enjoy romance this is definately a great book to read! (:
February 24, 2016
One of the greatest romantic novels I've read,I think there are many things unbelievable in this love story!!
As I went further in reading I got more attracted and excited,I lived the events,imagined the scenes,I got filled with emotions,I cried,smiled,felt passion and hated the characters at some points.
I really do believe this novel must be turned into a movie!!
I just loved it❤❤
As I went further in reading I got more attracted and excited,I lived the events,imagined the scenes,I got filled with emotions,I cried,smiled,felt passion and hated the characters at some points.
I really do believe this novel must be turned into a movie!!
I just loved it❤❤
March 5, 2012
It was childish and so repetitive as though the author was talking down to the reader as an adult sometimes does to a very young child. The plot was almost non-existent, and just a replay or a vain attempt to "drum-up" something to write.
December 22, 2018
Another Danielle love story filled with twists and melodrama. Seriously, I enjoyed these characters, although I could not always agree with their choices. A lovely read.
August 25, 2023
1⭐ y estoy siendo muy generosa. Este libro de romance no tiene absolutamente nada.
𝗘𝘀𝘁𝗼 𝗲𝘀 𝗿𝗼𝗺𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲? 𝗬𝗼 𝗻𝗼 𝗹𝗼 𝗰𝗿𝗲𝗼. En ninguna de las 357 pág que tiene lo vi. Lo que si encontré fue una relación de lo más tóxica y desagradable posible. ¿Tolerarse? ¿Soportar? ¿Acaso esos son los pilares fundamentales en una relación? Al parecer lo son para Kate y Joe.
Para empezar tenemos una dif de edad de 12 años (ella 17 y él 29) cuando se conocen. No tolero eso en libros de romance sorry not sorry. Todos los personajes me parecieron insoportables y detestables, excepto el padre de ella.
•Hablemos de los personajes principales:
• Kate: Un personaje más egoísta, molesta e infantil creo que nunca leí, totalmente INFUMABLE. No soportaba que la pintara como 'madura' cuando claramente no lo era (se hacía la madura por salir con un hombre mayor). Una de las cosas que más me sacó de quicio fue que la tipa todo el tiempo quería tener un hijo de Joe SIN SU CONSENTIMIENTO! cuando él le dejó claro que NO quería tenerlos y ella dale que dale con querer embarazarse a propósito 🙄
(Cosa que logró en dos ocasiones).
Kate era como un perro faldero, todo el tiempo atrás de un tipo que la usaba y la manipulaba, no aceptaba ni respetaba la decisión de él de no formar una familia o que no la tuviera como prioridad. Siempre terminaba cediendo ante los deseos de él solo para que no la abandone o se 'cerrara en si mismo' 🤨
El 99,9% del libro me pareció una tipa irritante.
• Joe: otro personaje totalmente detestable, inmaduro, manipulador egoísta e insensible, estaba todo el tiempo tipo: me lastimaron de pequeño entonces huyo o cualquier situación me hace sentir culpable, me encierro en mi mismo para evitar algún daño. Y yo estaba tipo díganme que esto es una joda 🤨 claramente no lo fue. El tipo creía que tenía derecho sobre Kate solo porque la conocía desde hacía "mucho tiempo". La usó y la dejó cuando se vio "amenazado" y después volvió a buscarla como si fuese su propietario y ella una cosa.
Joe la amaba tanto que antes de abandonarla dijo que "no soportaba la situación" (Kate acababa de perder el otro hijo de él) y que podría llegar a "odiarla".
La dejó cuando más lo necesitaba solamente porque es un pelotudo que no sabe hacerse responsable de las cosas.
(Por momentos creí que Joe era un niño de 3 años.)
CHE PERO CUANTO AMOR!
Todo el libro fue así, tan repetitivo.
• Siguiendo con los personajes secundarios:
•Liz (la madre de ella) otra infumable que lo único que le importaba era que su hija se case y tenga hijos con un "buen hombre" (obviamente no era Joe)
• Su padre fue el único personaje que medianamente me cayó bien, él solo quería que su hija fuera feliz con el hombre que amaba.
• Andy, el mejor amigo y ex esposo de Kate, siempre estuvo enamorado de ella, a mi parecer era un pobre pelotudo. Estuvo dispuesto a esperarla, incluso lo hizo. Se casaron y formaron una familia. Pero acá es cuando realmente la cagó. Utilizó a su hijo para que ella no lo deje por Joe (otra vez). En mi opinión se pasó de imbécil ya que ella se le reía en su cara 😅
•¿𝙌𝙪é 𝙚𝙨 𝙡𝙤 𝙦𝙪𝙚 𝙩𝙞𝙚𝙣𝙚 𝙙𝙚 𝙧𝙤𝙢á𝙣𝙩𝙞𝙘𝙤 𝙚𝙡 𝙚𝙣𝙜𝙖ñ𝙤, 𝙡𝙖 𝙢𝙖𝙣𝙞𝙥𝙪𝙡𝙖𝙘𝙞ó𝙣 𝙮 𝙚𝙡 𝙨𝙤𝙢𝙚𝙩𝙞𝙢𝙞𝙚𝙣𝙩𝙤? 𝙉𝙖𝙙𝙖, 𝘼𝘽𝙎𝙊𝙇𝙐𝙏𝘼𝙈𝙀𝙉𝙏𝙀 𝙉𝘼𝘿𝘼. Pareciera ser que lo único que une a ambos es la atracción física y que ella era "la chica ideal" ya que lo dejaba "ser libre" y no le reprochaba nada 🙄. Y ella se confirmaba con las migajas de lo que él le dejaba..
𝙎𝙞 𝙚𝙨𝙤 𝙚𝙨 𝙚𝙡 𝙖𝙢𝙤𝙧 𝙥𝙧𝙚𝙛𝙞𝙚𝙧𝙤 𝙣𝙤 𝙚𝙭𝙥𝙚𝙧𝙞𝙢𝙚𝙣𝙩𝙖𝙧𝙡𝙤.
𝗘𝘀𝘁𝗼 𝗲𝘀 𝗿𝗼𝗺𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲? 𝗬𝗼 𝗻𝗼 𝗹𝗼 𝗰𝗿𝗲𝗼. En ninguna de las 357 pág que tiene lo vi. Lo que si encontré fue una relación de lo más tóxica y desagradable posible. ¿Tolerarse? ¿Soportar? ¿Acaso esos son los pilares fundamentales en una relación? Al parecer lo son para Kate y Joe.
Para empezar tenemos una dif de edad de 12 años (ella 17 y él 29) cuando se conocen. No tolero eso en libros de romance sorry not sorry. Todos los personajes me parecieron insoportables y detestables, excepto el padre de ella.
•Hablemos de los personajes principales:
• Kate: Un personaje más egoísta, molesta e infantil creo que nunca leí, totalmente INFUMABLE. No soportaba que la pintara como 'madura' cuando claramente no lo era (se hacía la madura por salir con un hombre mayor). Una de las cosas que más me sacó de quicio fue que la tipa todo el tiempo quería tener un hijo de Joe SIN SU CONSENTIMIENTO! cuando él le dejó claro que NO quería tenerlos y ella dale que dale con querer embarazarse a propósito 🙄
(Cosa que logró en dos ocasiones).
Kate era como un perro faldero, todo el tiempo atrás de un tipo que la usaba y la manipulaba, no aceptaba ni respetaba la decisión de él de no formar una familia o que no la tuviera como prioridad. Siempre terminaba cediendo ante los deseos de él solo para que no la abandone o se 'cerrara en si mismo' 🤨
El 99,9% del libro me pareció una tipa irritante.
• Joe: otro personaje totalmente detestable, inmaduro, manipulador egoísta e insensible, estaba todo el tiempo tipo: me lastimaron de pequeño entonces huyo o cualquier situación me hace sentir culpable, me encierro en mi mismo para evitar algún daño. Y yo estaba tipo díganme que esto es una joda 🤨 claramente no lo fue. El tipo creía que tenía derecho sobre Kate solo porque la conocía desde hacía "mucho tiempo". La usó y la dejó cuando se vio "amenazado" y después volvió a buscarla como si fuese su propietario y ella una cosa.
Joe la amaba tanto que antes de abandonarla dijo que "no soportaba la situación" (Kate acababa de perder el otro hijo de él) y que podría llegar a "odiarla".
La dejó cuando más lo necesitaba solamente porque es un pelotudo que no sabe hacerse responsable de las cosas.
(Por momentos creí que Joe era un niño de 3 años.)
CHE PERO CUANTO AMOR!
Todo el libro fue así, tan repetitivo.
• Siguiendo con los personajes secundarios:
•Liz (la madre de ella) otra infumable que lo único que le importaba era que su hija se case y tenga hijos con un "buen hombre" (obviamente no era Joe)
• Su padre fue el único personaje que medianamente me cayó bien, él solo quería que su hija fuera feliz con el hombre que amaba.
• Andy, el mejor amigo y ex esposo de Kate, siempre estuvo enamorado de ella, a mi parecer era un pobre pelotudo. Estuvo dispuesto a esperarla, incluso lo hizo. Se casaron y formaron una familia. Pero acá es cuando realmente la cagó. Utilizó a su hijo para que ella no lo deje por Joe (otra vez). En mi opinión se pasó de imbécil ya que ella se le reía en su cara 😅
•¿𝙌𝙪é 𝙚𝙨 𝙡𝙤 𝙦𝙪𝙚 𝙩𝙞𝙚𝙣𝙚 𝙙𝙚 𝙧𝙤𝙢á𝙣𝙩𝙞𝙘𝙤 𝙚𝙡 𝙚𝙣𝙜𝙖ñ𝙤, 𝙡𝙖 𝙢𝙖𝙣𝙞𝙥𝙪𝙡𝙖𝙘𝙞ó𝙣 𝙮 𝙚𝙡 𝙨𝙤𝙢𝙚𝙩𝙞𝙢𝙞𝙚𝙣𝙩𝙤? 𝙉𝙖𝙙𝙖, 𝘼𝘽𝙎𝙊𝙇𝙐𝙏𝘼𝙈𝙀𝙉𝙏𝙀 𝙉𝘼𝘿𝘼. Pareciera ser que lo único que une a ambos es la atracción física y que ella era "la chica ideal" ya que lo dejaba "ser libre" y no le reprochaba nada 🙄. Y ella se confirmaba con las migajas de lo que él le dejaba..
𝙎𝙞 𝙚𝙨𝙤 𝙚𝙨 𝙚𝙡 𝙖𝙢𝙤𝙧 𝙥𝙧𝙚𝙛𝙞𝙚𝙧𝙤 𝙣𝙤 𝙚𝙭𝙥𝙚𝙧𝙞𝙢𝙚𝙣𝙩𝙖𝙧𝙡𝙤.
December 2, 2019
This has always been one of my favorite books of Danielle Steel but I have not read it for over ten years. Upon reading this time, I felt very differently about it. It is still a good book and a very emotional read, however, I realized reading it this time just what a selfish asshole Joe was on numerous occasions to Kate. He abandoned her repeatedly and especially when she needed him the most. When he thought she had mental problems and when she was pregnant and then again he abandoned her because she needed him too much. Joe didn't seem to have a problem walking away from Kate and their marriage whenever it suited him and she deserved a lot better than Joe.
We cannot choose who we love, even if they might not always be good for us. This is a very emotional read. I loved it. Steel at her best!
We cannot choose who we love, even if they might not always be good for us. This is a very emotional read. I loved it. Steel at her best!
February 6, 2016
I've said repeatedly that I don't like Danielle Steel, so why do I keep reading her books? Availability, I guess. I found a stack in my late mother's room. I guess she was a fan.
I will admit to liking this book much better than most of Steel's works that I've read. Still way too much ''mothering'' and repetition for my taste. I felt like screaming, ''Okay, I got it already'' often. But the plot was well crafted and the characters were well formed and interesting. It described a quite different type of love affair.
Overall, it wasn't a bad read. Certainly not a book I'd want to read twice, but okay for those idle days when there's nothing better to do than curl up with a story that doesn't require too much concentration to follow.
I will admit to liking this book much better than most of Steel's works that I've read. Still way too much ''mothering'' and repetition for my taste. I felt like screaming, ''Okay, I got it already'' often. But the plot was well crafted and the characters were well formed and interesting. It described a quite different type of love affair.
Overall, it wasn't a bad read. Certainly not a book I'd want to read twice, but okay for those idle days when there's nothing better to do than curl up with a story that doesn't require too much concentration to follow.
February 21, 2015
I'm really beginning to get tired of Danielle Steel's writing. It used to be a lot more engaging (or maybe I was younger and less discerning). I hated this book!
June 25, 2020
Águila solitaria
Interesante historia ,esta autora a veces me sorprende.me gustó ,enojo y odie a los protagonista, y al final reflexione y entendí el mensaje de la historia.Ese amor que te acepta como eres sin exigencias ni recriminaciones.Vaya un amor como el de Kate y Joe que muchos errores pero supieron al final sacar lo mejor el uno del otro.
Interesante historia ,esta autora a veces me sorprende.me gustó ,enojo y odie a los protagonista, y al final reflexione y entendí el mensaje de la historia.Ese amor que te acepta como eres sin exigencias ni recriminaciones.Vaya un amor como el de Kate y Joe que muchos errores pero supieron al final sacar lo mejor el uno del otro.
August 8, 2020
Thank goodness another from my TBR pile down the drain. Once again, main male character is spineless & pathetic and the woman he marries is beyond belief. Why, why why??? Will my TBR pile never diminish???
August 18, 2020
I thought I'd read a book by an author that I usually wouldn't read... I love horror, supernatural, psychological horror/thriller, but this wasn't for me, with all respect to Ms. Steele. I'm glad I tried it though...just didn't hold my interest.
March 1, 2020
If you are wondering why I'm reading so many Danielle Steel books I got them for $1 a pice. See one didn't do it for me.
February 11, 2015
2 STARS
"The phone call came on a snowy December afternoon. Kate was certain it was Joe, the brilliant, visionary man who had been her soulmate, her driving force since the night they met, almost thirty-four years before. What she got was the one call she had never wanted, and didn't expect.
As the snow continued to fall, Kate's mind drifted back, to the moment when she and Joe first met. She had been just seventeen and he was young, powerful, dazzling, and different from any man she'd ever known.
It was just days before Christmas, 1940. The war is raging in Europe when Kate Jamison makes her debut in New York City. In a room filled with the scions of East Coast society and the leading political figures of the day, it is Joe Allbright who catches Kate's eye.
At twenty-nine, Joe is the brilliant protege of Charles Lindbergh, and already a legend in flying circles for his record-breaking speed and state-of-the-art airplane designs. All Kate sees is a tall, strikingly handsome man who seems at once awkward and larger-than-life, like a shining star--just out of reach. Joe, too, is caught off balance by his response to Kate, seeing in this beautiful young woman vitality and youth, the lifelong soulmate he never expected to find.
As the months pass, they will meet again, forging a bond that will set the course of both their lives. Kate will go off to study at Radcliffe. Joe will skyrocket to fame in modern aviation. Joe's planes are his life, his passion. But irresistibly drawn to her, like moth to flame, he always comes back to Kate. Even after the long, dark years of World War II, when Kate was sure she had finally lost him completely, Joe returns. Never willing to stay, always needing to fly away. As planes are for him, Joe is the passion in her life.
When the war is over, at twenty-four Kate wants marriage and a family. Joe wants the world, his limitless horizons, and the unique aviation empire he is building. Unwilling to wait any longer, Kate moves on with her life. But when a chance encounter brings them together again, the time has finally come to make a choice, one that will have profound consequences for them both for the rest of their lives." (From Amazon)
Originally when I read Danielle Steel novels I would have rated them 3-4 STARS, but now I would classify them as 1-2 STARS. These are great for those who like mild sex, unrealistic dramatic romances and grand plots.
"The phone call came on a snowy December afternoon. Kate was certain it was Joe, the brilliant, visionary man who had been her soulmate, her driving force since the night they met, almost thirty-four years before. What she got was the one call she had never wanted, and didn't expect.
As the snow continued to fall, Kate's mind drifted back, to the moment when she and Joe first met. She had been just seventeen and he was young, powerful, dazzling, and different from any man she'd ever known.
It was just days before Christmas, 1940. The war is raging in Europe when Kate Jamison makes her debut in New York City. In a room filled with the scions of East Coast society and the leading political figures of the day, it is Joe Allbright who catches Kate's eye.
At twenty-nine, Joe is the brilliant protege of Charles Lindbergh, and already a legend in flying circles for his record-breaking speed and state-of-the-art airplane designs. All Kate sees is a tall, strikingly handsome man who seems at once awkward and larger-than-life, like a shining star--just out of reach. Joe, too, is caught off balance by his response to Kate, seeing in this beautiful young woman vitality and youth, the lifelong soulmate he never expected to find.
As the months pass, they will meet again, forging a bond that will set the course of both their lives. Kate will go off to study at Radcliffe. Joe will skyrocket to fame in modern aviation. Joe's planes are his life, his passion. But irresistibly drawn to her, like moth to flame, he always comes back to Kate. Even after the long, dark years of World War II, when Kate was sure she had finally lost him completely, Joe returns. Never willing to stay, always needing to fly away. As planes are for him, Joe is the passion in her life.
When the war is over, at twenty-four Kate wants marriage and a family. Joe wants the world, his limitless horizons, and the unique aviation empire he is building. Unwilling to wait any longer, Kate moves on with her life. But when a chance encounter brings them together again, the time has finally come to make a choice, one that will have profound consequences for them both for the rest of their lives." (From Amazon)
Originally when I read Danielle Steel novels I would have rated them 3-4 STARS, but now I would classify them as 1-2 STARS. These are great for those who like mild sex, unrealistic dramatic romances and grand plots.
February 3, 2022
DIOS. Yo te amo, abu, pero me recomendaste un libro horrible :(. Los personajes son infumables (ella es una boluda que se cree revolucionaria porque no lava los platos pero después va y deja que Andy maneje su vida antes de que le niegue el divorcio, y Joe es un irresponsable que se tomó 13 años para aclarar las cosas porque lo único que lo impulsa es verla a Kate con otro. Ni hablar de Andy que parece re copado hasta que no la deja trabajar a Kate porque a ÉL no le parece bien, o de la mamá de Kate que no la supo apoyar en el peor momento de su vida pero después le quiere controlar sus planes. No me banco a nadie), la trama es totalmente a conveniencia pero no de los personajes sino de la autora, para poder darle mil vueltas a una relación que se tendría que haber terminado en el momento en el que Joe se arrepiente de haberle pedido matrimonio a Kate, y en el momento que dejan de dar vueltas y pasan a ser una relación estable (después de una amenaza de divorcio que ninguno de los dos quería), bum elipsis y el tipo está muerto.
Aparte, que el padre de Kate se mata cuando ella es consciente como para entenderlo pero ni se trauma, aunque el trauma aparece como veinte años después cuando es conveniente para la relación con Joe. Un asco. Y lo peor es que ella entiende como un tipo que no es tu padre biológico puede ser igual o mejor padre que este, porque tiene a Clarke (el único hombre más o menos decente acá) pero igual insiste en que tiene que embarazarse de Joe cuando ya tienen a Stevie y a Reed porque con ellos "no es lo mismo". Una estúpida.
Perdón, todo sería mejor si Joe hubiera realmente muerto en la guerra y se manejara mejor el trauma de Kate.
Pero un libro horrible, un beso.
Aparte, que el padre de Kate se mata cuando ella es consciente como para entenderlo pero ni se trauma, aunque el trauma aparece como veinte años después cuando es conveniente para la relación con Joe. Un asco. Y lo peor es que ella entiende como un tipo que no es tu padre biológico puede ser igual o mejor padre que este, porque tiene a Clarke (el único hombre más o menos decente acá) pero igual insiste en que tiene que embarazarse de Joe cuando ya tienen a Stevie y a Reed porque con ellos "no es lo mismo". Una estúpida.
Perdón, todo sería mejor si Joe hubiera realmente muerto en la guerra y se manejara mejor el trauma de Kate.
Pero un libro horrible, un beso.
September 15, 2020
If I could give this "book" 0 stars, heck even "-1" I would. I don't know how I managed to power through this awful "romance" story but I did. The characters were medicore and the writing was eh. I didn't need to be reminded of how great Joe was *eyeroll* a thousand times. Spoilers ahead.
The book was always about Joe and how perfect he was while Kate was always in the wrong and that she had to "grow up". She had to give up her desires of having a husband and kids just so that she can be with Joe. I understand that Joe didn't want kids since that's his choice, but he could have at least put in the effort to be with her and give her attention. I mean Kate didn't want Joe to be with her 24/7 and yet he still couldn't find the time to be with her more because it was inconvenient for him. I mean come on. He even told her to "deal with it" as if being in a relationship means that only one person should do the work.How can this be a good romance novel when the relationship was clearly toxic? Why did Joe string her along and why did Kate hold on to him? Why couldn't Joe see what he did was wrong? Why didn't they both realise that they wanted two different things and they were major things that can't be changed?
I don't think I'll be picking up another book by her ever again if all her stories follow in this book's footsteps.
The book was always about Joe and how perfect he was while Kate was always in the wrong and that she had to "grow up". She had to give up her desires of having a husband and kids just so that she can be with Joe. I understand that Joe didn't want kids since that's his choice, but he could have at least put in the effort to be with her and give her attention. I mean Kate didn't want Joe to be with her 24/7 and yet he still couldn't find the time to be with her more because it was inconvenient for him. I mean come on. He even told her to "deal with it" as if being in a relationship means that only one person should do the work.How can this be a good romance novel when the relationship was clearly toxic? Why did Joe string her along and why did Kate hold on to him? Why couldn't Joe see what he did was wrong? Why didn't they both realise that they wanted two different things and they were major things that can't be changed?
I don't think I'll be picking up another book by her ever again if all her stories follow in this book's footsteps.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 30, 2014
I rarely read Danielle Steel. Some one gave me this book so I picked it up when looking for something to read. I wonder, has she ever written a book in which the characters were not beautiful and stunning? Have there been any men who did not have broad shoulders and a chiseled face? They always stand out in a crowd and let's not forget their money. No ordinary factory workers to be found. I will say that Ms. Steele can spin a good tale at least for a few chapters here and there to keep you reading if you have nothing better to do. That is the reason I gave her two stars. Her two main characters in Lone Eagle are physically beautiful but despicable when it comes to character. So if you are bored and tired of watching reruns this book might be worth a quick read. Or maybe not.
January 15, 2021
Houve partes do livro que gostei, como a parte em que Kate ganha juízo e casa com Andy. O livro devia ter acabado no final do capítulo 14. Não gostei que ela estivesse sempre atrás de uma pessoa que lhe fazia mal. Não gostava verdadeiramente dela e nunca quis ter filhos com ela. Ela tinha o direito a exigir que ele estivesse mais tempo em casa. O livro dá ideia que ela estivesse errada nesse aspecto e o Joe é que estava errado. Tive muita pena do Andy. Excelente marido, amava-a acima de tudo, queria ter uma vida com ela verdadeiramente. Não merecia que ela tive estragado o casamento com o pecado do adultério. Foi muito doloroso de ler.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 15, 2020
I read a lot of DS books (why I am still figuring out lol) but this one was by far the worst one that I have read. The characters were completely toxic people and the plot was boring and predictable. Donating this book for sure.
March 4, 2017
Lame and overwritten but some grains of truth. Sad and thought provoking.
"They had found each other and lost each other again in a dozen ways, a dozen times."
"They had found each other and lost each other again in a dozen ways, a dozen times."
June 30, 2015
Mnogo iritantno. Prosto se grozim takvih osoba kojima je materijalno vaznije od ljubavi.
June 24, 2024
Found this book hard to read from the beginning because of the age gap of the main couple - 17 and 29 is just too young 😭 and the author would not let you forget about the gap either, for some reason it was mentioned time and time again. Actually, a lot of things were mentioned over and over again and just repeated but worded slightly differently, it really felt to me like she was just upping the word count with a lot of this book and there was no real plot points unfortunately. The characters weren’t likeable really, you didn’t know pretty much anything about them apart from how ‘drawn’ to each other they always were, and yet the issues they had between themselves were ridiculous and honestly just took away from the amount of ‘they mean so much to each other and it’s crazy!!’ that the author was pushing so hard in the first half of the book.
Joe was written as a selfish man-child who for some reason couldn’t get over a bit of childhood bullying?? And for as much as he was meant to love Kate, he did everything to stay away from her basically and the only things we see of them together is them saying they love each other and just sleeping together, honestly it wasn’t built much more than that. And Kate was just ridiculous, spineless, took the ‘blame’ for things that clearly weren’t her fault and the only thing she wanted through the whole book was for Joe to WANT to be around her which …. He clearly didn’t? The author seemed to pin everything that went wrong each time onto Kate and Joe literally didn’t get put in his place even ONCE and apparently him admitting multiple times he didn’t love her enough not to run away didn’t mean a thing and we’re still supposed to believe the whole thing of the story is how their love was so strong they couldn’t stay apart? Ugh
Andy was genuinely the nicest character and a way better fit for Kate but author decided to give him a villain moment for some reason, I think just to make Kate and Joe look a bit better after the affair situation, it was all just messy and inconsistent for me.
Just not a good read at all for me, really felt like it wasn’t thought much about in the writing process at all and I can’t find much positive to say unfortunately
Joe was written as a selfish man-child who for some reason couldn’t get over a bit of childhood bullying?? And for as much as he was meant to love Kate, he did everything to stay away from her basically and the only things we see of them together is them saying they love each other and just sleeping together, honestly it wasn’t built much more than that. And Kate was just ridiculous, spineless, took the ‘blame’ for things that clearly weren’t her fault and the only thing she wanted through the whole book was for Joe to WANT to be around her which …. He clearly didn’t? The author seemed to pin everything that went wrong each time onto Kate and Joe literally didn’t get put in his place even ONCE and apparently him admitting multiple times he didn’t love her enough not to run away didn’t mean a thing and we’re still supposed to believe the whole thing of the story is how their love was so strong they couldn’t stay apart? Ugh
Andy was genuinely the nicest character and a way better fit for Kate but author decided to give him a villain moment for some reason, I think just to make Kate and Joe look a bit better after the affair situation, it was all just messy and inconsistent for me.
Just not a good read at all for me, really felt like it wasn’t thought much about in the writing process at all and I can’t find much positive to say unfortunately
August 30, 2018
This book is based on the years from 1974 to present. About two soulmates how they met & truly deeply CRAZILY fell in love & all the hardships that came between them once the WWII started & even later. The female lead Kate wanted to get married, have a family but Joe loved his planes, he was a pilot and soon when he started building his business after his surival in the WWII he became one of the most important men in the history of aviation. Joe loved his work but started having almost no time for Kate. He had to choose one. Or at least try to balance it. This lead to whole lot of chaos in their personal life, which the book is all about.
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⬇What I think about the book⬇
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💭The character development was brilliant & so was the writing style.
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💭The thing about Danielle Steel's books is that they make me angry & make me wanna have an argument with the character or atleast slap them real hard. They get irritating bc they make too many stupid mistakes but then when you take a step back & think about it, its all out there. The matters she speaks about indirectly exist in real world. Maybe they are SUPPOSED TO make you angry so that you can see the signs of it when you are dealing with real life situations & not do the same.
Idk but I felt there was a lot about "women sacrifice" in it. How the wife always have to sacrifice her needs or parts of herself in order to make the man stay. Honestly. IT BOILED MY BLOOD. Just seeing how Joe was always trying to run away when things got hard, leaving her to weep alone & would come back later whenever he finds the need & Kate blaming herself later BISH WTH. Sadly it reminded me of some people I know. WHY DO ONLY WOMEN HAVE TO MAKE SUCH SACRIFICES?! WHY CANT MEN HAVE SOME BALLS AND TAKE OTHER RESPONSIBILITIES SERIOUSLY & NOT JUST EARNING?!
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💭The continuity when changing the plot could've been better. A couple of parts felt like those "sigh only happens in books & movies" scenes which breaks your thinking process since its too obvious or way too coincidental.
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💭The 3/4 of the book was straught up 5/5 but in the end I felt like the author was struggling to have a stable plot.
.
⬇What I think about the book⬇
.
💭The character development was brilliant & so was the writing style.
.
💭The thing about Danielle Steel's books is that they make me angry & make me wanna have an argument with the character or atleast slap them real hard. They get irritating bc they make too many stupid mistakes but then when you take a step back & think about it, its all out there. The matters she speaks about indirectly exist in real world. Maybe they are SUPPOSED TO make you angry so that you can see the signs of it when you are dealing with real life situations & not do the same.
Idk but I felt there was a lot about "women sacrifice" in it. How the wife always have to sacrifice her needs or parts of herself in order to make the man stay. Honestly. IT BOILED MY BLOOD. Just seeing how Joe was always trying to run away when things got hard, leaving her to weep alone & would come back later whenever he finds the need & Kate blaming herself later BISH WTH. Sadly it reminded me of some people I know. WHY DO ONLY WOMEN HAVE TO MAKE SUCH SACRIFICES?! WHY CANT MEN HAVE SOME BALLS AND TAKE OTHER RESPONSIBILITIES SERIOUSLY & NOT JUST EARNING?!
.
💭The continuity when changing the plot could've been better. A couple of parts felt like those "sigh only happens in books & movies" scenes which breaks your thinking process since its too obvious or way too coincidental.
.
💭The 3/4 of the book was straught up 5/5 but in the end I felt like the author was struggling to have a stable plot.
June 11, 2021
Actual rating: 1.5
I first expressed my distaste in DS's writing in my review of The Long Road Home. I never thought there would be worse. I keep reading her works. My grandmother gave me her DS book collection, and I have to read them all to show appreciation. Sigh... I still have 20+ books left.
I never hated a couple before this much. Some characters in other books are annoying because they're so fleshed-out, so realistic, that we deem them existent human being. But Joe, he's just infuriating because of his bad character development.
I love my planes as much as I love you.
I can't be married to you. To my planes, maybe
(I don't know if these are the exact words, but the essence is the same)
I mean... what the hell was that? Better words could be said, but DS went with this. This is just one of many cringey lines of the characters. Also, I've been very vocal in my hate of DS's excessive I Love You's. This book has a lot. I lost count. Maybe I'm the only one who hates it. I don't know.
The narration is also tiring. I could skip lines and still understand the flow of the story. It's sometimes too wordy and the way things are described are not good.
But this book taught me things. And somehow, I relate to some parts of it.
But I'm a reader who rates a book based on how good and enjoyable they are. This book is not good and not that enjoyable. So, 1.5. My lowest rating on goodreads.
Overall, this is my worst read of the year so far. Some parts of it are enjoyable to read, but only very few.
I first expressed my distaste in DS's writing in my review of The Long Road Home. I never thought there would be worse. I keep reading her works. My grandmother gave me her DS book collection, and I have to read them all to show appreciation. Sigh... I still have 20+ books left.
I never hated a couple before this much. Some characters in other books are annoying because they're so fleshed-out, so realistic, that we deem them existent human being. But Joe, he's just infuriating because of his bad character development.
I love my planes as much as I love you.
I can't be married to you. To my planes, maybe
(I don't know if these are the exact words, but the essence is the same)
I mean... what the hell was that? Better words could be said, but DS went with this. This is just one of many cringey lines of the characters. Also, I've been very vocal in my hate of DS's excessive I Love You's. This book has a lot. I lost count. Maybe I'm the only one who hates it. I don't know.
The narration is also tiring. I could skip lines and still understand the flow of the story. It's sometimes too wordy and the way things are described are not good.
But this book taught me things. And somehow, I relate to some parts of it.
But I'm a reader who rates a book based on how good and enjoyable they are. This book is not good and not that enjoyable. So, 1.5. My lowest rating on goodreads.
Overall, this is my worst read of the year so far. Some parts of it are enjoyable to read, but only very few.
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