Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

I confess I am submitting this review after having read only a few chapters of the book. But I was so put off by the stiff, cliche-ridden writing that I simply could not continue. When I got to Bruno's "smoldering eyes" I had to force myself to read on, and after several more pages of this sort of writing I gave up. I realize my view of the book is quite out of sync with most of the other reviews here, and I appreciate that other readers found a lot to admire, but I cannot share their enthusiasm. A good plot, for me, is not enough to overcome poor writing. What I did learn from this experience is not only to rely on reader reviews of a book I am thinking of buying, but also to take advantage of the offer to receive a free sample of the book in my Kindle when possible, or to read those pages accessible online before making a final purchase.