Almost Heaven

Author:

Judith McNaught

Published:

Pocket Books, April 1990 ; 517 pages

Related titles by this author:

Something Wonderful

Subgenre:

Historical romance--Regency

Setting:

England, London and Scotland, Montmayne -- 1820s

Main characters:

Ian Thorton and Lady Elizabeth Cameron

Sexual explicitness:

Fairly explicit

Keywords:

Intrigue ; family reconciliation, marriages of convenience, murder trials, scandals

Reader rating:

Reader comments:

Judith McNaught is one of my favorite writers, and yet I can't seem to find any historicals that are recent. What are you doing? I am breathlessly waiting. Hurry before I pass out. :^) (L.W., 5-19-98) I love this book! I started reading these kind of books quite late.But it was my first and still my fav until now Although when I read it I skip the part when Elizabeth followed her brother. (A.A.A., 5-15-98) I love reading the book, the author really makes the characters alive for me and she makes want to feel what they are feeling. I wish I knew where to contact her so that I tell her myself what a great author she is and to say thank you for sharing her talent. (J.C.T., 4-8-98) All my friends kept telling me to read this book. They said it was the best thing they had ever read. So I set aside special time just to read it, and I hated it! I liked Ian. I thought his characterization was amazing, but Jenny got on my nerves so much. The whole "divorce" thing at the end was ridiculous. Their love story was entirely was too tortorous. Maybe if they had laughed a little more, showed some humor every now and then, the book may have been more enjoyable. (S.Y., 3-30-98) First and ONLY book i have ever cried at. It no longer has a cover and the back pages are missing. That's okay thought cause i got it memmorized. (J.H., 3-18-98) Almost Heaven is my Favourite J.M. book. I truly love it.She makes me laugh and cry at the same time. (Y.L., 3-18-98) First and ONLY book i have ever cried at. It no longer has a cover and the back pages are missing. That's okay thought cause i got it memmorized. (J.H., 3-18-98) Almost Heaven is my Favourite J.M. book. I truly love it.She makes me laugh and cry at the same time. (Y.L., 3-18-98) Almost Heaven is one of my all-time favorites. I have reread this novel countless times and go all the emotions every time. It's a TREASURE!!! A Kingdom of Dreams is next in line though I was furious with Jenny thru most of the book... I love Ms. McNaught's writing style and eagerly await each new publication. I would love read a spin-off from Almost Heaven... When is her next book scheduled to be published. (R.R., 2-6-98) I love all her books! (J.M., 2-4-98) Ian Thorton broke my heart. How could she have doubted him? The best romance I have ever read! (K.S., 2-1-98) I just finished reading this book for the fifth time. I absolutely like it more and more each time. Ian is my picture of a hero. I wish she would write a story about their genius son. That would be something to see. I also reread Something Wonderful...that book grabs me everytime. How I wish there was a book about Caroline and Jason Collingwood. They sound like a very interesting couple. I have a copy of all of her books and I like rereading every single one. (B.A., 1-29-98) This one is makes you laugh and cry no matter how many times you read it. (K.D., 1-27-98) I LOVED IAN FROM THE FIRST. ELIZABETH SEEMED ALTOGETHER TOO READY TO DOUBT HIM, THOUGH. FABULOUS LOVE SCENES. I LOVED THE COURT SCENE. BUT ONE THING BUGGED ME-- DURING THEIR SEPARATION DID IAN REALLY CHEAT ON HER, OR JUST PRETEND TOO? I THOUGHT THE WAY HE LATER DESCRIBED HOW HE WAS "MISERABLE" WITHOUT HER TOUCHING. I HOPE J.M. WRITES A NOVEL IN WHICH THEIR GENIUS SON IS THE HERO. (S.S., 1-26-98) This is one of my two favorite books. Judith McNaught is one of my 2 favorite authors. She makes me laugh and fall in love !! (S.P., 1-16-98) i love them all. i've read every book and can't wait for the next one (M.T., 1-10-98) I loved this book. My first book of Judith's I read was Whitney My Love and I am glad she continued to write excellent stories and bringing the characters from other stories endures the book all the more. (R.W., 4-28-97) I love this book, this one and The Gift are my favorites. I would love to tell Ms. Garwood that I was so disappointed with the Hallmark movie "Rosehill" it was nothing like her superb book. I would love to know what she thought. If you have a email address for her, PLEASE let me know. (K.P., 4-26-97) Ian Thornton is the ideal hero! I also plan to use the name Ian if I ever have a son. For so long I could not find any books to rival those of Kathleen Woodiwiss. Ashes in the Wind and A Rose in Winter were always my most favorites, until I read Almost Heaven. Reading this book has been heaven every time I read it. I love Judith McNaught and I have read and collected every one of her historical romances. I eagerly await her next one. I recommend it to everyone I see. (J.P., 4-19-97) All Judith McNaught's books are keepers withthe exception of "Until You" this one not up to her usual great standard. Can't wait for the next, hope it's soon. (J.C., 4-19-97) Love all of Judith McNaught's books. Can't put them down. Hope JM will write more. (M.B., 4-18-97) This was one of the first books I read written by you and when I finished I wanted to name my first son after Ian. I love him and all the men you've written about. Most of all, I am encouraged by the strength and courage of the women. (X.H., 4-16-97) It's another winner!! I am now going to have to buy both "Almost Heaven" & "Something Wonderful". I only keep books I will read over and over again. These fall into that catagory. Way to go J.M. (Thanks) (B.B., 4-11-97) I HAVE READ ALL YOUR PUBLISHED BOOKS AND THEY ARE ALL SUPER GREAT. PLEASE SEND ME A COMPLETE LIST OF ALL YOUR WORKS. (A.R.T., 4-11-97) Absolutely loved this book!! Judith McNaught has wonderful books and she has outstanding books. This was outstanding!! 'Nuf said. (K.W., 4-4-97) It is the best. I've read it more than five times and I still like it. No one can compare to Mcnaught. (C.L., 3-30-97) NO ONE IS LIKE ELIZABETH AND IAN. ALMOST HEAVEN IS HEAVEN. AS PERFECT IS PERFECT. MS. MCNAUGHT'S INTERPRETATION OF LOVE IS TRULY AND IMMENSELY PROFOUND. ALMOST HEAVEN IS MY INSPIRATION WHEN I WRITE MY STORIES, TOO. I'VE READ IT MORE THAN FIVE TIMES AND IT GETS BETTER AND BETTER WITH EACH SUCCESSIVE READING AS WITH ALL OF MS. MCNAUGHT'S BOOKS. THE ONLY STORY I EVER DISLIKED WAS THAT OF NICKI. HE WAS SUPPOSED TO BE THE PERFECT HERO, BUT MS. MCNAUGHT GAVE HIM ONLY FOUR CHAPTERS (UGH!). I REALLY GOT MAD. NICKI IS BY FAR A BETTER MAN THAN CLAY OR STEPHEN COMBINED. HE GETS CLOSE TO IAN, THOUGH. NEVERTHELESS, THANKS TO MS. MCNAUGHT FOR THE BEAUTIFUL STORIES. (C.G., 3-5-97) It lived up to her standards , As always I look forward to reading her novels. Even though Elizabeth was wonderful I still belive that she does not compare to Whitney , who will always remain my ideal heroine. (R.F., 3-5-97) This is definitely my favorite novel. Ian was definitely my idea of a irresistibly perfect heartthrob, and Elizabeth was convincingly the most beautiful heroine I have ever read about. McNaught went to whole new lengths when she created their scandel! Their romance was explosively romantic and unforgettable. (K.L., 3-3-97) Maybe I expected too much after reading Something Wonderful. Honestly, the only parts I liked about this book is when Jordan and Alex are in it. (D.S., 2-15-97) It was a wonderful book, especially the last part. Evoked emotions in me as I read through the story. (D.L., 1-25-97) I have read all of Judith's books and this one stands out in my memory the most. Elizabeth's comment that"Ian Thornton has no peers" sums up my own feelings for my spouse and their entire love story really touched my heart. Thanks, Judith!!! (B.P., 1-18-97) Mrs. McNaught, I want to congratulate you and to thank you for the wonderful time I spent reading your books. They are MAGNIFICENT!!!! I loved your historical romances because I am a HOPELESS ROMANTIC. Please, keep writing historical romances, so that I can have more wonderful times. And to the readers, JUDITH MCNAUGHT is A WRITER of QUALITY; read just one book and you will see it for yourselves. Sincerely, Sofia Ayala. (S.A., 1-16-97) Almost Heaven is the first MaNaught's book I have read. The story is GREAT. I really enjoy it alot. (V.W., 1-16-97) This was the first of Judith's book I've read. It's also the first book, I've read that made me cry and laugh at the same time. Since then, I've bought and read every one of her books and am awaiting the release of her new novel Remeber When. (E.A., 1-13-97) This book is absolutely wonderful!!! Ian and Elizabeth are characters I could identify with, and loved imagining myself to be. It was great seeing Alex and Jordan (SOMETHING WONDERFUL) again too! (K.R., 12-24-96) This was the 1st Mcnaught I ever read which was about 5 yrs ago. I still remember it pretty well. It is one of the best regencies still. I recall loaning it out and the person went out and bought all the Mcnaughts she could find. (G.A., 12-8-96) Contrary to some of the other comments I've read, I thought this was one of McNaught's best. I can't pin-point exactly what it is about this particular story, but I've re-read this one more times than all her others! (A.F., 12-6-96) This was my first romance novel and is still one of my favourites. Judith McNaught is a fabulous writer and although her some of her characters are too perfect of me to digest, her stories are great. I love all her books and own all of them. I wait for those dates that she releases new books. Her books make you laugh and cry. Almost Heaven was one of those. A fabulous book! (Y.P., 11-28-96) Thorougly enjoying what I consider two of McNaught's classics, "Something Wonderful" and "Whitney, my love", I found "Almost Heaven" didn't quite live up to my expectations of Mcnaught's talent. Elizabeth matched Alexandra's and Whitney's wit and temperament, but sadly enough, I found Ian Thornton lacking in presence and character. I feared he was no match for Jordan Townsende. The book was slow going at the start, and only livened up during the court scene.This novel is not one of McNaught's best. (A.A., 11-24-96) Almost Heaven is not one of my favorites from Judith McNaught, but considering that she is such an incredible writer, this book is still much, much better than others out on the market. I adore Whitney, My Love and Until You. I can't wait to read Remember When. (M.T., 11-20-96) Almost Perfect was just that.It's one of my favorite,next to Shauna by Kathrine Woodiwess. I have read everyone of McNaught's books and I must admit that her historical Romances are my favorites,but I'm partial to Historical Romances.I always eagerly await her next novel.I am currently in the process of reading her recently released nove Remember When. The characters in the book are very familiar. I'm sure I've read about them before. I just can't remember in what book. The characters are Diana and Cory Foster. They are step-sisters who's father die and they start up a family business, along with their mother and grandmother. Does this ring a bell with anyone? If so e-mail me and refresh my memory. address tros@ucla.com. (T.R., 11-15-96) Almost Heaven is one of my most favourites, Judith McNaught has the the gift of every great story writer, you care about the characters they are real to you and you want them to be together, and how Ian loved Elizabeth when he rescued her in the Ballroom Scene..sigh! (S.R., 11-14-96) One of my very favorite by this author. It was the first book I read of hers and what got me hooked on Judith McNaught. (D.L.D., 11-12-96) Lovely, lovely! After PARADISE, my favorite McNaught. I usually detest the routine ballroom scene -- must EVERY romance author write ballroom scenes??? -- but when Ian walked down Judith's ballroom stairs with his grandfather, it was "almost heaven" for me! The book (and the hero!) is a keeper! (S.R., 11-11-96) I love this book... everyone should read it (A.D., 11-5-96) It's really a great book!!! It's not only romantic, but it's there's also a mystery.. the best! (N.A., 11-4-96) While the book never lives up to the grace and wit of its opening paragraphs, it is still quite readable, as are all of McNaught's romances. I'm still awaiting her latest, REMEMBER WHEN, which has been delayed several times since publication was first announced. (E.P., 10-30-96) IMHO, Judith McNaught's historical romances are some of the best I've ever read. ALMOST HEAVEN, WHITNEY, MY LOVE and A KINGDOM OF DREAMS are classics of the genre. ALMOST HEAVEN has a great love story with plenty of twists and turns and wonderful character development. Ian & Elizabeth don't just meet and live happily ever after. They have history and their past brings a lot of emotional baggage. By the end of the novel, I was left with the feeling that these two characters deserved each other and their happiness and that's a tribute to McNaught's storytelling ability. (K.G., 10-30-96) It was fabulous. Ithink Ian Thorton and Elizabeth were great. I love how miserable he was without her. READ THIS BOOK!!!! (A.S., 10-28-96)

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