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Editorial Review Product Description
A convicted man out to prove his innocence... An innocent woman held captive by desire... Julie Mathison overcame her rough Chicago childhood to become a pillar in a rural Texas community. A third-grade teacher, she is a lovely, vivacious young woman determined to give back all of the love and kindness she has received. Zachary Benedict, an Academy Award-winning actor/director, was at the pinnacle of his career when he was convicted of murdering his wife. The tall, ruggedly handsome convict endures his prison time, waiting for the day when he can escape and find the real killer. When that day comes and his carefully planned break-out goes awry, Zack abducts an unsuspecting Julie and forces her to drive him to his Colorado hideout. There, as she comes to believe in Zack's innocence, Julie's fear slowly gives way to trust and desire, kindling a smoldering, sensual passion between them. But before their new found love can take hold, Zack and Julie must pass a bitter test that will force them to endure the pain of betrayal and separation that could drive them apart forever. ... Read more Customer Reviews (231) 
One of my ALL TIME FAVORITE books!!!
I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this book!It has long been a favorite of mine... To be perfectly honest, I have repurchased it twice because I wore out the copies that I had.I wish there was a Kindle edition so that I wouldn't have to worry about that! :(I read this book for the first time when I was about 19 and I'm now 34 and I still love it!I love the chemistry between Zack & Julie.They have an instant connection.I know there are some who reviewed this book who say that's impossible, but speaking as some one who met and fell in love with my soul mate almost instantly (And we've been married for 10 years!), I would have to disagree! When you know, you just know!McNaught does a wonderful job of showing the pain they both felt at the loss of each other after finding such a powerful connection.And I love how she incorporated the whole town of Keaton, TX in the book and made you fall for each character...I go back every now and then and just read my favorite parts...The letter that Zack wrote to Julie and sent through Matt is one of those parts.It makes me cry nearly every time!!!There aren't enough words for me to describe how much I love this book!Hope all who read it will enjoy it as much as I have all these years!
Not perfect for me..
This is my second book by McNaught.I must say this one was infinitely better than Whitney, My Love.This one was another of her books printed more than 15 years ago, 1993 to be exact.It however was not perfect for me.
This book started out great.Then as another reviewer mentioned after they left the cabin the story went drastically downhill, however I will say it picked back up again after Zack went to Keaton for Julie.
I loved Zachary throughout the story, both he and Julie I felt had good character motivations as to how they became the way they were as adults.
Julie striving to be perfect after numerous foster homes and finally getting a family.Zack being raised by emotionally distant relations, then getting kicked out and having to make his own way, then striving to be a great success to spite his grandmother.That said, while Zack seemed to be a great character all the way through( with the exception of his hiccup at the cabin), Julie got a little too goody-goody, a little too perfect for me.
********Possible SPOILERS below.Read at your own risk********
One of the major problems I had with this book is Julie's behavior once she gets back to Keaton.She was initially described as kind, compassionate, personable, and very likable, then she became this foolish, love sick, pining idiot.She seemed to be forever crying, distracted, an emotional wreck. All that would be fine, however, she only knew the guy for a WEEK!!! Which leads me to my next problem...
I believe you CAN'T possibly fall in love in a week, especially for Julie.I believe Zack when he told Julie "Your naïve and inexperienced, and you don't know the difference between good sex and real love." Because break it down- they were together for a week.The first 3 days she was scared, angry, trying to escape(minus the touchy-feely stuff).She slept with him on the 3rd to 4th day when she didn't know anything about him(What I consider his movie star persona).On the 5th to the 6th day Zack practically rapes her.So basically Zack kidnaps her, holds her at gun point, threatens her, yells at her, and practically rapes her.Is she stupid? Who could possible fall in love under those circumstances?No tenderness in the world would make me see him in a kind light, or attempted saving of my life make me think him innocent.
I, like another reviewer, thought Zack and Julie would team up to find his wife's murderer which didn't happen.I also find it hard to believe that he didn't plan to even look for the real killer. The crime solving itself was too easy.
I, also, find it extremely hard to believe that Julie would be so eager to dump her family, friends, and life never to be seen again to run off with her 1 week acquaintance lover.This makes me conclude that she obviously didn't love her family as much as we the reader thought she did.She got some sex under her belt (pun intended) and was all ready to leave for places/life unknown with only a letter to say good-bye.Geez What a great daughter/sister.
The name dropping, women's literacy, and the handicapped kids got old, especially the name dropping.This is what really dates the book.
I applaud Julie for turning Zack in, however, did she have to be such a whiner about it."Don't hurt him!!, I can't do this." How did she think he was going to be treated?
I do think that Julie deserved to do a little groveling and apologizing before Zack took her back.Since most of the wrong was done to him I did find it strange he was the one to come to her.
I agree with other reviewers about the disappearing characters.When reading the reviews I didn't think it could be that bad, however I was wrong.Out of this 513 page book- Paul Richardson isn't mentioned after 434. Carl isn't mentioned after 485.Greg wasn't mentioned after 144.Dominick Sandini isn't mentioned after 381.
For as long as this book is I am astonished that there are still unanswered questions.Small things that don't really matter.Like- Did Ted pass his bar exam?Did Flossie marry Herman?Did George McDaniels go to jail and for how long?Did Zack really make those "crank" calls to the suspects? Why was Julie the one that had to move to LA instead of the actor/director Zack moving to Keaton? Did Debby Sue Cassidy write a book?Why was Julie the one that wrote a book? Is it really plausible that Zack lied to the whole town and not to Julie about Justin?
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All in all I think I would give McNaught another chance, however I'm beginning to think she's just not to my reading taste.
Great Book.
I read this book once awhile back and was never able to re-read it.It takes you on an emotional roller coaster.Theres parts where you just want to cry your heart out.The author does a really good job bringing the reader into the story.I have read all of her books and this one definately stand out.I dont remember reading a book i didnt enjoy from her (maybe Tender Triumph).
Perfect following Paradise--Don't miss it!
This modern romance tells the story of Zachary Benedict, the tall dark and handsome Academy Award winning actor and director, who is wrongly accused of murdering his unfaithful actress wife.Sent to prison in Texas where the crime was committed for 45 years, he escapes only to run into dark haired, blue-eyed Julie Mathison, the "perfect" adopted daughter of a Texas pastor and his wife, who began her life on the streets of Chicago but in her life with the Mathison's now teaches school, helps adult illiterate women learn to read and gives hope to handicapped children.Zach takes the sweet Julie as his hostage rather than risk her telling the police where he is.He travels with her to a gorgeous mountain top home hidden away in the mountains of Colorado.It's the skiing retreat of his best friend, Matt Farrell (who we met in her other 5 star romance, "Paradise").Zach and Julie experience a rare joining of two souls who would never have met in either of their separate universes.And then all hell brakes loose.The story is powerful; the emotions will have you laughing and crying; the characters are wonderful; and the ending is just perfect.This is another 5 star romance from McNaught--I do recommend reading Paradise first as the Farrells feature prominently in this one and it will give depth to the story (see my review of Paradise).I loved how McNaught wove in the story of other couples into Perfect as well as that of Zach and Julie--it just enriched the story. Another great from McNaught.I have not always given her 5 stars but this one clearly deserves it.
It is Perfefect
I loved this book.A real page turner.I couldn't put it down.Highly recommend it.
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