“Snowflakes on the Sea" by Linda Lael Miller (Harlequin in 1984, 256 pgs., $4.99 e-book)
Linda Lael Miller’s name on the cover usually promises an entertaining and enjoyable read.
Usually.
This would be the exception that keeps that word from being “always." In fact, the only thing good about “Snowflakes on the Sea" is the title, which could very well be one of the best romance book titles ever.
The story, not so much.
This could very well rank among the worst romance stories ever. It’s certainly one of the most annoying and frustrating. Nathan and Mallory have to rank among the most whiny, conflicted and stupid protagonists ever.
Readers will truly just want to slap them.
In fact, the only glimmer of anything satisfying about the story is that Mallory’s friends get as annoyed with her as readers do.
Here’s a not-so-flattering synopsis of the story: Nathan is a rock star married to soap star Mallory. They spend a lot of time apart while he’s touring and she’s filming and they both pout about it. Mallory knows she can trust Nathan to be faithful, but then she wonders if she should and acts like a whiny and pouting child. Then she chastises herself for doubting him. Then she doubts him again. Nathan gets his feelings hurt that Mallory doesn’t trust him and he lashes out (i.e., acts like a jerk). Then he understands why she struggles. Then his feelings get hurt again and he lashes out again.
And so it goes, on and on and on until you’re begging the story to end on the next page.
Miller has written many great romances with engaging characters, wit and charm. Pick up one of those. Skip this one.