I won't give a rating as I didn't finish the book, but it was just that bad. However, my opinion may not match yours. So if you love this author or if you want to give it a try, you should. I really enjoyed the story and the characters, but Starting sentences with 'And', many many times, was breaking my concentration! It was driving me nuts! It also felt like certain scenes, feelings, POV and actions were being repeated, over and over again. It got to the point where I was saying to myself "I heard you the first time Ms.
Steel", let's move on to what happens next. The ending was just too quick. No time to really invest in the romance between the main characters. Absolutely no a I really enjoyed the story and the characters, but Absolutely no action whatsoever. No chases, no running, no bang bang gun shots and you're dead, no fights, just a simple romantic story with a few great characters.
Not exactly her best work but good enough to read all the way through, I suppose. I've read every Danielle Steel book. Although sometimes I feel she's my dirty little pleasure, I look forward to them all, and she never disappoints. Is she a great writer, probably not. She repeats single thought so often that I want to scream and her story structure never varies but I look forward to curling up with her books and living her stories.
Apr 23, Denise rated it really liked it. Undercover by Danielle Steel is not her typical romance story.
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There are the romance sections, interesting characters and an intriguing plot that intertwines well with the main characters. This book would be a great summer beach or travel read because it kept me engaged. Jun 04, Antonella rated it it was ok Shelves: This is my first book by this author.
And my first impression is - not good. It felt like a story you fell your friend or not even that, an acquaintance where you narrate a long period of time with basic information and names and things that happened but NO depth whatsoever. Facts and stats kind of info. I can't put it i romance genre because is not it nor I can say that is psychological novel. It is something in between. Got me feeling nothing. Even though it has some interesting issues and sub This is my first book by this author. Even though it has some interesting issues and subject in it.
This was wrong book for me to give this author a chance. Maybe I should try some other of her many books. Nov 17, Ashley Nikole rated it did not like it. Having a "good" plot, won't save you from mediocrity of the literary kind that I found within the pages of 'Undercover'. I will address the issues below- but I will start by saying that the plot was well thought out. It moved along at a good pace, never spending too long on one subject. Unfortunately, plot alone does not make a good book. It is simply the foundation.
Some authors do it and it works in their favour, but in Undercover, i Having a "good" plot, won't save you from mediocrity of the literary kind that I found within the pages of 'Undercover'. Some authors do it and it works in their favour, but in Undercover, it felt tacky and stuck out like a sore thumb. Nearly the entire book was written in a "summarization" type method, making the reader feel like they were reading a heady report, rather than feeling as though they are in the throes of the story- right next to the characters.
I don't think I've ever read a book that was less I didn't feel ANY heartfelt connection to the characters, or as though the author had dug deep to express an emotional situation or character. That is not good. I've read books written by thirteen year olds that expressed agony better than Steel did in this book. As I said before, having read books by tween's and teens, I can understand their level of maturity might lead them to write in a way that isn't entirely Another thing I've seen young, inexperienced author's do If you want to switch from character "A" to character "B"'s perspective, at least give us a break in the paragraph to signal the change- and stay on character "B"'s perspective until the chapter ending, or until you've put another break in the paragraph and given character "A" the go ahead.
Confusing for the reader, as it messed with the flow and direction of things- and it didn't feel overly concise or focused on the author's part. We had 90 pages of Marshall's- then it switched and gave us of Ariana's backstory. They didn't meet until page , and then had less than pages of knowing each other or working towards their common goals While I like a good backstory, I would've rather have read more about their story together, than their separate ones- which while I did enjoy them, they seemed a bit more drawn out than necessary.
I know Steel is an uber popular writer, with her books gracing the New York Times bestelling list a good deal of the time, but what I experienced in Undercover was some good creativity in terms of the overall plot, but everything else fell quite The characters, writing style and vocabulary of Undercover felt rather blah. It had amazing potential with the groundwork of a good plot- because it was good- but everything else I don't know what went wrong, but it was not enjoyable as a reader.
This book does the exact opposite. The style alone made this book pretty damn near impossible to finish. Big, emotional moments are narrated with a disappointing lack of passion and flair, and everything else happens on fast-forward. A discussion between the main character and the owner of a dog he wants to adopt is fleshed out in great detail, yet a host of moments that are far more important to the plot are simply mentioned in passing. The sheer amount of irrelevant details and the long, rambling paragraphs that cover whole days, weeks and even months at a time are a constant headache, and the dialogue feels largely clunky and unnatural.
To top it off, the writer has an infuriating habit of repeating the same idea several times — sometimes in consecutive paragraphs or even sentences. That aside, the plot itself is full of holes. Characters change their mind multiple times — often over the course of the same conversation or chapter — and plot device characters are so painfully obvious they might as well be named Mr. Every woman is either a secretary or an assistant not to mention impossibly pretty , and every organization, from the CIA to the Secret Services and the revolutionary forces in Argentina, is populated solely by men.
The female MC is the literal opposite of relatable or sympathetic, leaning heavily towards a Mary Sue everyone instantly loves her because she's so beautiful, smart and charming , and the male MC is perhaps the only redeeming thing in the entire book. If you like quality writing, this really isn't it.
Oct 17, Angie Dokos rated it liked it. The story was good; it was interesting. It was not well written at all. If this was an author's first book, I would totally understand. But this is written by Danielle Steel! She's way more talented than this. The story was told, not shown. There were lots of repetition. The characters were likable, but you never really "felt" anything for them. Lots of unnecessary stuff throughout the book. Some of the dialogue was totally unlike real conversations. There were many events in the book that would The story was good; it was interesting.
There were many events in the book that would have definitely not played out the way they did in reality. I think the storyline was great, it just wasn't carried out as well as it should've been. Sep 02, Carolin rated it really liked it. I like her stories. They are quick read and fun. Nov 14, Penelope rated it liked it. Please Goodreads, don't put spoilers in your book descriptions.
Sep 16, Pam Warner rated it really liked it. I am a sucker for Danielle Steele books. I truly enjoy them and this was no exception. Sep 15, Merceda rated it really liked it. This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. I believe that Steel's last few books have been more interesting that some of her previous works. I enjoyed the jungle scenes with Marshall, and then I liked the scenes of Buenos Aires with Ariana, and her being kidnapped.
And her being taken over by Jorge and his sick teachings of taking over the rich people to fund the poor of the world. Although he had millions in secret bank accounts. And then Ariana was rescued, and Jorge was killed. And Ariana's father died of a heart attack the night she I believe that Steel's last few books have been more interesting that some of her previous works. And Ariana's father died of a heart attack the night she was rescued. And so she went to live with Benedictine nuns for a year, then she went to Paris to be deprogrammed by Yael.
It took a year to deprogram her, and she finally hid the tin box of journals and the love letters that Jorge had given to her. But Marshall found them, and read the journals and decided that Munoz or 'Luis' the brother of Jorge might be trying to overthrow the government where he was a high ranking official. Eventually, 4 guys try to take Ariana, and Marshall descends upon her and takes her in his car to prevent her kidnapping.
And they go to London where his friend with Scotland Yard lives and they hide there until they are taken to the US, and then they are put in Witness Protection Program until Munoz can be found and killed. And they take on a ranch, and buy horses and fix up the ranch house and fall in love. Then Munoz is found and killed, and they leave for Paris and are married with the President and First Lady acting as their witnesses. Honestly, I was a little disappointed here.
I was expecting a great thriller and romance all in one — a romantic thriller, if you will. And I didn't really Everything happened very, very fast and a lot of development was glossed over — the entire plot only took up maybe pages at most. There wasn't a lot of suspense and I found myself disappointed that much of it took place off-page. The romance suffered from that as well, there was a lot of development cut out, that I would ha Honestly, I was a little disappointed here. The romance suffered from that as well, there was a lot of development cut out, that I would have preferred to see written.
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I think that much of the "backstory" could have been cut, or streamlined better. In a book that's barely over pages, the backstory of the two leads take up nearly two thirds of the book, with them not meeting until well over pages in. Personally, I'd have preferred it to be more streamlined, for there to have been more development, and honestly, I'd have loved more action.
I'll give Steel another try, as I've got another one of her books out from the library, but I feel seriously let down here! Feb 09, Reagan rated it did not like it Shelves: Okay, this is my first Danielle Steel book, I picked this one because it seemed interesting and intriguing. I downloaded a sample of it on my kindle, the first few pages held my interest enough barely to buy the book and see if it got better. Granted I am not done with the book, I am debating on finishing it or not. I can't hardly handle it anymore. I think a whole page was filled with how much Marshall missed being undercover and hated his desk job, just written differentl Okay, this is my first Danielle Steel book, I picked this one because it seemed interesting and intriguing.
I think a whole page was filled with how much Marshall missed being undercover and hated his desk job, just written differently in each sentence. I also found it annoying that sentence, MANY sentences started with the word "and". She would even put and after commas when it would of flowed better with out "and". Idk, I do not normally get hung up on that kind of stuff but the story just did not flow well and I feel it was the writing. I've heard great things about Danielle Steel but his may be my first and last book of hers.
If anyone can recommend a book of hers that is great, please do! Sep 27, Lynn rated it liked it. This was certainly not my favorite of Danielle's books. Her constant repetition of facts and ideas was back in full force. She seemed to have curbed that in her last couple of books, so I had hoped that it was over. Undercover is somewhat of an action story set within a love story, and it just doesn't really work well.
The dealings of the DEA, CIA, and Secret Service aren't really her genre, and although there was violence, somehow she made it seem pretty tame in general. My advice to Danielle wo This was certainly not my favorite of Danielle's books. My advice to Danielle would be to leave the intrigue to authors like Patterson who excel at it.
Undercover
While this wasn't a terrible read, it definitely bored me in parts. It was only towards the end when the match-up the reader could predict almost from Page 1 came that it got more interesting, mostly because love relationships are Danielle's specialty. I used to read all of Danielle Steel's books about 20 years ago, but I have not picked up one since. The description of this one intrigued me though, so I thought I would give her another go.
This book was so frustrating to read. There was the potential f I used to read all of Danielle Steel's books about 20 years ago, but I have not picked up one since. There was the potential for a great storyline here, but she missed the mark by a long shot. By the end of this novel, I still had no sense of who the characters were.
The romance was rushed, the backstory drawn out and rehashed, and the actual story itself under developed. There was no feeling in this book, no heart stopping moments, no sections of great dialogue. The whole thing read like an unedited synopsis.
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Not one of Danielle Steel's best The book started out great but soon lost my interest. It was repetitive and I didn't like the flow of the book. However it is still a Danielle Steel book and worth reading. Too predictable and the end wrapped things up in fast forward. Not her best work. Sep 23, Nancy rated it it was amazing. That is what I felt the entire book. This book was so crazy! It's definitely one of the better DS books that I have read.
This would be a great introduction to DS if you have never read her before. So basically the book has two different POVs. One is of Marshall. He was into the undercover work and spent years in a jungle with a drug lord to bring him down. This is how the book starts. But after his mission ends, his superiors were worried that he went too deep. So they assign him to be S Oh my! So they assign him to be Secret Service to the President.
However, he gets shot and life basically comes to end for him. I felt so bad for Marshall. He lost his love in the jungle. The drug lord found out who ratted him out and so he shot her to make Marshall feel the pain. I felt so much pain for him. So then he gets shuffled around and put to work in the one place he didn't want. Just thinking about him made my heart race I sighed and folded my arms across my chest I loved my parents to death but they were being ridiculous I was an expert fake snorer Time for phase My bunny slippers that my dad had bought me were much more awesome I was purposely tryi I dnf's at the end of Chapter 1.
I was purposely trying to push her buttons How would you know? Yes, we are told she is 8 dear god that appalling 'almost two hands' had me nearly puking but she reads like some street weary woman with numerous failed affairs behind her. I have never, ever , ever read such a repulsive child. If she was meant to be portrayed as some sort of child genius then do it properly ffs!!! Nov 28, Shellie Nicholson rated it it was ok Shelves: Honestly, I'm not sure how to even review this book. This might be more of someone else's type of genre, but it didn't fit me at all.
And heads up, this is most definitely a cliff-hanger ending. I didn't hate it, but I didn't love it. I felt for the characters, but I thought they made the dumbest decisions. Seriously, the book is so all-over-the-place, I can't even figure it out. The first person style wasn't bad, and really helped with the "What the heck is going on? I didn't find much romance in it See how this review is written? You're just not sure what to think or what I'm trying to say That's how I feel about this book.
I'm glad others are able to enjoy it, but it isn't for me. That's a bit pricey.
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This is, literally, one of the most gripping, heart wrenching books I've read. Sadie has been through so much in her life. She just wants a chance to start over in New York City. That may be a problem if her past catches up to her. I could not put this book down! I can't wait for the next installment!!
Nov 29, S. A wasted evening How many ways can I say I was bored with the storyline. It barely held my interest. It started slowly and never picked up. It is not romantic suspense, it reminded me of a cheesy WB show that I. Smoak tried to make interesting but fell flat. Sadie had potential but it was like she was in the wrong story. Oh my god i loved this book, i was on chapter 10 and i realised who V was so when i finished it i was right but i won't spoil it for other's who V was all i can say was it was a happy ending for Summer lot's of twists and turns. Made of Steel reminds me of Arrow one of my absolute favorite shows and is suspenseful, well written and will keep you on the edge of your seat, not to mention make you want to throw your Kindle across the room after reading the big cliffhanger at the end.
Summer is a happy go lucky 8 year old girl whose best friend and the boy she loves lives next door. Miles is the boy Summer loves and she has her life planned out around him. Her parents are killed in a car accident, though, and she's sent Made of Steel reminds me of Arrow one of my absolute favorite shows and is suspenseful, well written and will keep you on the edge of your seat, not to mention make you want to throw your Kindle across the room after reading the big cliffhanger at the end.
Her parents are killed in a car accident, though, and she's sent to live with her Grandma, 4 hours away from Miles and her old home. She and Miles keep writing to each other, even after her Grandma dies and she's sent into foster care. She knows she loves him even though she hasn't seen him in years. When she's 13, though, Miles stops writing to her.
It breaks her heart and she never forgets him. And she'll run into old friends like Miles, who thinks she reminds him of Summer, and who just happens to be her new dorm's RA. And then there's the New York vigilante, who takes a special interest in her and vice versa. All these new and old people in her life that Sadie has come to care about, but she's starting to feel like she's going crazy. Suddenly she's not sure whom she can trust.
Someone's playing a huge game with her and it's freaking her out and even puts her in the hospital once. Ivy has really upped the intrigue in her latest story. It's well written like her Hunted series, but it's got less heat and way more suspense. I can't wait for the next installment, I need answers now! I received an ARC for an honest review. Made of Steel by Ivy Smoak Three stars of Five I really enjoyed reading this book; in fact, it was one of the best story lines I have read in awhile.
The characters are well developed and have clear and distinct personalities. There are a few other characters that are notable and intere Made of Steel by Ivy Smoak Three stars of Five I really enjoyed reading this book; in fact, it was one of the best story lines I have read in awhile. There are a few other characters that are notable and interesting but to identify could be a spoiler, and in my opinion that defeats the purpose of a review. It could be used to teach them that things are not always what they seem, and even when you think you know someone, you may not truly know that person.
You only know the parts of them that they want you to know. This book introduces several topics that could be discussed in counseling, human relations, and acceptance format. The topics include grieving and loss, foster care, new school, abuse and how to help a friend in trouble, and fake identities how to tell if someone is who they appear to by. I thought it would be great for the classroom up to the end of the book where it went from PG 13 to X rated in one chapter. Bad choice number one. The end of the book seems to come right at a high point in the plot.
There is no ending; it is just a gigantic absurd cliffhanger. I have no idea why authors do this to readers. What are you hoping I will purchase the next book in the series just to finish the story. Call me vindictive, but I will not purchase any book because someone tried to trick me into it or basically force me into it. There is only one way to describe IVY SMOAK, she is a phenomenal writer and a master at making us jump in our seats and hang on every word that is written in her books.
I love Ivy Smoak books. I have read them all, but this one. The cover was hot , and the book itself was even hotter, it was a blend with every thing you would want in a book. Check her out SHE does not disappoint. Oct 24, Coco. Wow so I thought when I got his book for free off amazon that is wasn't going to be that great. Boy was I wrong. This story pulled me in from page one. One bad thing happened after another , leading up to the horrible event that puts her in the Witness Protection Program. She is starting a new life far away from her old one.
Yet she will never truly get over everything that has happened to her. Miles was her childhood friend who she loved more than anything. Now years later she hasn't talked too or seen him in years , yet she still remembers everything about him and looking at the stars. Now she is in NYC going to college and has meet Eli someone who she thinks she can learn to love.
Just when she is trying to move on with her life and forget her past in walks her past, Miles or an someone who is after her. Miles doesn't know who she really is he thinks she is just someone who reminds him of Summer. Ok y'all this book had me so captivated I could not put it down.
I finished it in a few hours. I loved it so much. I even loved the cliffhanger , really who doesn't love a good cliffy and this one is awesome. Ivy Smoak has this way about writing that pulls the reader in and you wont stop thinking about the story until the very end. I have so many theories on who "V" really is , is Eli who he seems to be or is there more to him.
All I want is answers but I am loving every page along the way. Dec 14, Love N. Books rated it really liked it. This book was a freebie. This story sucked me in immediately. Her best friend, Miles the boys she loves and doting parents. Then tragedy strikes and Summer finds herself living with her grandmother, 4 hours away from her heart. Staying in touch with each other via letters, Miles and Summer continue to write each other until tragedy strikes again. Summer is now in the foster care system and the boy she loved and counted on has stopped writing and she is stuck living a nightmare with no hope.
She is nervous but excited to be free of her nightmare. All she wants is to be a normal college kid and not have to look over her shoulder. She just wants to live her life in peace and fear-free. When her past collides with her present in more ways than one , Sadie finds that the boy she once loved is her R. A in the dorms and she does all she can to avoid him. Her roommate Kinsley helps her to loosen up. Then she meets Eli who becomes her friend and her boyfriend but her pull to Miles is still there.
Sadie unexpectedly finds herself in trouble and a mysterious man saves her. Both Miles and Eli are determined to keep her safe. This is a suspenseful and dark romance. Revenge meets Arrow but in a book. I enjoyed this story and was left hanging with more questions than answers. Ivy Smoak, you have a new fan! I am excited to read more stories from you! Ummm Not really sure what to think about this book it's started off okay.
Didn't really need to know a year-by-year play of Sadie's life just really confusing because there was things that we got great detail on that we really didn't need great deals going on but then there were things that we needed to know but weren't given. The whole College thing it really unrealistic there were parts or I just skipped Pages because it was just unnecessary information. I think the only character who didn't an Ummm Not really sure what to think about this book it's started off okay.
I think the only character who didn't annoy me with miles and Patrick. I think I'm just getting really tired of authors trying to stretch out storylines into multiple books when they could really be done in one.
Undercover by Danielle Steel
This book has everything romance, friendship, suspense. I couldn't put it down. I really felt for Summer. It was love at first sight for her at six. Miles Young was right and she saw him riding his bike. She tried to be his friend and he pushes her away until she worn him down.
They became best friends after a year of her wearing him down. Summer's life turned upside down when both her parents were killed in an car crash. She went to live with her grandma away from Miles. Summer and Miles wrote This book has everything romance, friendship, suspense. Summer and Miles wrote back and forth to each other. When her grandma died Summer ended up in the foster care system.
Her life seem to get worse. She moved from family to family. She ended up being abused physically for years. She stop getting letters from Miles. She ends up having her identity changed and living in New York. This girl has so many scars from her abuse she doesn't trust. She had changed her appearance so the man who she put in jail couldn't find her. She has so many obstacles to overcome and try to fit in. I definitely recommend this book.
I'm ready for book Nov 12, Annette Aguilar rated it it was amazing. So many twists and turns in this Plot? Who can she trust, her boyfriend, he is full of secrets and is too rough and controlling. Her roommate may be spying on her and helping deliver the boxes and making them disappear. Miles can she trust him he wasn't there when she needed him in the past! Her handler with witness protection has stopped answering her calls, her boss is working with her stepfather, who wants her dead!
Dom has found her and keeps trying to kill her! Someone is playing games with her mind! Were the deaths of her parents and grandmother murder? Summer Is supposed to be dead so the police can't help her. Who is the vigilant that is trying to protect her, he won't tell her who he is? More questions than answer and the story continues. Wonderful story a real page turner, can't stop reading it? Now to read the next to see how it goes!
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I got caught up in this story immediately and would highly recommend this book! Unfortunately, I didn't know it was the first in a series of three books and ended with a big cliffhanger. The plot was interesting and original and the main characters were well developed and intriguing. Summer and Miles, two of the main characters, were sweet to read about as kids. The current day storyline had lots of good twists and turns also. My only complaint is that I felt like we were told too many times abo I got caught up in this story immediately and would highly recommend this book! My only complaint is that I felt like we were told too many times about Summer's darkness, when the author was already showing us.
This is well worth reading in my opinion and I even had to buy the second and third books in the series to see how the epic story ended. Many thanks to the author, Ivy Smoak, her publisher, and goodreads for the free copy of this book. Dec 12, Dawn rated it it was amazing. Reading through some of the less favorable reviews,I have to agree that this did end on a cliffhanger, and probably should having a warning to that effect to eliminate confusion and hard feelings.
This author is simply amazing! The depth of the story, the twists and turns the development of characters, all of it is there in perfection! I've read this author before a long while ago and had to return to her, her stories are amazing! Going into this book just know that Reading through some of the less favorable reviews,I have to agree that this did end on a cliffhanger, and probably should having a warning to that effect to eliminate confusion and hard feelings.
There are only 3 books in this series though and they are ALL phenomenal! Made of Steel is not like Ivy Smoak's usual steamy and intriguing stories. Summer was a little unexpected with the way her character was written, but I got it in the end. Kins, Eli, and Miles, all different characters but filling in the blanks of the story line. Deeper than a superhero book might be expected to be, I loved the New York backdrop Made of Steel is not like Ivy Smoak's usual steamy and intriguing stories.