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Runaway Heart
Love was an act of faith for Barbara
Private investigator Daniel McGuinn appeared to be an open book--but one that shut tight if you tried to read the pages. Barbara Emerson should have been suspicious of a man as elusive as Dan, but instead she hired him for the difficult job of finding a missing person.
As Dan's search led them from Baltimore to Orlando, Barbara never questioned her decision or the reason Dan inspired her trust. Sometimes you had to gamble blindly on instinct, and hope that your instincts were right.
Private investigator Daniel McGuinn appeared to be an open book--but one that shut tight if you tried to read the pages. Barbara Emerson should have been suspicious of a man as elusive as Dan, but instead she hired him for the difficult job of finding a missing person.
As Dan's search led them from Baltimore to Orlando, Barbara never questioned her decision or the reason Dan inspired her trust. Sometimes you had to gamble blindly on instinct, and hope that your instincts were right.
- GenresHarlequin
188 pages, Paperback
First published October 28, 1986
6 people are currently reading
168 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
February 27, 2024
As a Disney Cast Member, this book was way too fun to read....
October 3, 2023
Dear lord, this was hard to read. The only reason why I wanted this book was because it took place in Epcot and Magic Kingdom. Please, for the love of Walt, don't waste your time on this book.
March 11, 2023
I read this book as a February 2023 selection for my podcast, Book of the Mouse Club (a book club podcast dedicated to Disney themed books). Check out a thorough review of the book on episode #88 of the podcast, available on all podcast platforms.
This was my first Harlequin novel but I am familiar with them from grocery stores and my grandmother’s bookshelf. I was surprised to find one with a cover of Disney World on it. From Disney fans online and reviews I read prior to reading, I knew most of the book would not be in WDW, but I enjoyed the 3 chapters in the theme park nonetheless. Those chapters named dropped some Disney 1986 nostalgia. Also, Detective Daniel McGuinn is clearly a Disney adult and any man that knows his way around the parks without a map and books a dinner date at San Angel Inn Restaurante in Epcot gets an A+ in my book.
The plot is predictable and moves quickly. The ending wrapped up almost too quickly for me once the main plot of finding the runaway step daughter was solved. But if you are a Disney fan or like light easy romance, I recommend this book. Again, check out episode #88 of Book of the Mouse Club podcast for a full discussion and review.
This was my first Harlequin novel but I am familiar with them from grocery stores and my grandmother’s bookshelf. I was surprised to find one with a cover of Disney World on it. From Disney fans online and reviews I read prior to reading, I knew most of the book would not be in WDW, but I enjoyed the 3 chapters in the theme park nonetheless. Those chapters named dropped some Disney 1986 nostalgia. Also, Detective Daniel McGuinn is clearly a Disney adult and any man that knows his way around the parks without a map and books a dinner date at San Angel Inn Restaurante in Epcot gets an A+ in my book.
The plot is predictable and moves quickly. The ending wrapped up almost too quickly for me once the main plot of finding the runaway step daughter was solved. But if you are a Disney fan or like light easy romance, I recommend this book. Again, check out episode #88 of Book of the Mouse Club podcast for a full discussion and review.
August 23, 2023
Eighties contemporary romances are really weird. The fact that this one features at its centre Disney World is also really weird.
The fact that plot hinges on a teenage girl running away to Disney World is really weird. The fact that this book has a massive chase scene, boat jumping on Pirates of the Caribbean, and a grown man admitting to finding Minnie Mouse attractive is very, very weird.
However, all this weirdness ultimately amounts to be very boring; beyond the Disney scenes which were face paced and fun advertising. And there really aren’t that many chapters set in the actual park, so that fun disappears quickly. Am I glad that I read this? Absolutely. But I think if you’ve seen the viral tweet about it or a TikTok about it, then you’ve seen enough.
April 11, 2025
A harlequin romance that takes place at disney world?!? You know I had to. It was very much a 80s cheesy harlequin romance. Also, it’s quite bad. I laughed out loud multiple times. But i had a lot of fun and enjoyed the few chapters that took place in disney world.
December 28, 2024
It's one of the worst books I've ever read...
Ok, smut books like this are not my usual cup of tea, but when I heard of 1 based in WDW, I was very keen to read it.
The 2 or 3 chapters that were based in WDW (Magic Kingdom and EPCOT) were at least interesting from a Disney fan point of view. The writer clearly did her homework and knew her stuff about the parks (I assume she was a disney fan).
But a disney classic this is not. The romance is daft and makes no sense, like the main character of the story falls in love with the PI Detective looking for her missing stepdaughter. Surely, any parent in this situation would be too worried about her daughter to even think about falling in love? Then, at the end of the book, she agrees to get married to him after only knowing each other for a month and a half.. and half of that was when they were looking for her stepdaughter.
If this is what all Smut books are like, then I'm questioning all those middle-aged women in the 80s and 90s taste in books... I include my own mother in that.
I recommend that if you really want to read this, just to read the chapters based in Disney World, then give up.
If I could give it lower than 1 star, I would.
Ok, smut books like this are not my usual cup of tea, but when I heard of 1 based in WDW, I was very keen to read it.
The 2 or 3 chapters that were based in WDW (Magic Kingdom and EPCOT) were at least interesting from a Disney fan point of view. The writer clearly did her homework and knew her stuff about the parks (I assume she was a disney fan).
But a disney classic this is not. The romance is daft and makes no sense, like the main character of the story falls in love with the PI Detective looking for her missing stepdaughter. Surely, any parent in this situation would be too worried about her daughter to even think about falling in love? Then, at the end of the book, she agrees to get married to him after only knowing each other for a month and a half.. and half of that was when they were looking for her stepdaughter.
If this is what all Smut books are like, then I'm questioning all those middle-aged women in the 80s and 90s taste in books... I include my own mother in that.
I recommend that if you really want to read this, just to read the chapters based in Disney World, then give up.
If I could give it lower than 1 star, I would.
September 7, 2022
Once I discovered this existed I absolutely needed to read it. I managed to find it on the Internet Archive site, borrowable for an hour at a time. It's quick and skimmable so I was able to finish it in under 2 hours (disclaimer: I'm a very fast reader).
Spoilers ahead.
The cover is totally misleading - 2/3 of the book takes place in Baltimore! For the time they were in Florida, the descriptions of them in the parks are basically a listing of different stores, restaurants, and attractions. I can't find anything to corroborate but this reads like a Disney promo tie-in, especially because it was released the year Epcot opened.
It's also pure Harlequin Romance through and through. Entirely cheesy and yet tame as hell compared to modern romance novels.
If you want to sum up this entire novel, I texted another Disney-park loving friend while reading it and said "I can't believe they're having sex at the hotel before they even get to Disney." They responded, "I think you have your priorities wrong." I replied "Well, her step-daughter is missing and she's currently railing the detective, so neither does she."
Spoilers ahead.
The cover is totally misleading - 2/3 of the book takes place in Baltimore! For the time they were in Florida, the descriptions of them in the parks are basically a listing of different stores, restaurants, and attractions. I can't find anything to corroborate but this reads like a Disney promo tie-in, especially because it was released the year Epcot opened.
It's also pure Harlequin Romance through and through. Entirely cheesy and yet tame as hell compared to modern romance novels.
If you want to sum up this entire novel, I texted another Disney-park loving friend while reading it and said "I can't believe they're having sex at the hotel before they even get to Disney." They responded, "I think you have your priorities wrong." I replied "Well, her step-daughter is missing and she's currently railing the detective, so neither does she."
June 21, 2023
A Harlequin Romance novel featuring classic Walt Disney World landmarks on the cover earns the book its first star. Star number two is earned by surpassing my expectations for what a “classic” romance novel should be. This had mystery, intrigue, and a fair bit of heart to it. Stars number three and for come from the second act that takes place in Walt Disney World. I had half expected the cover to be a bait and switch and though only a few chapters take place in the Most Magical Place on Earth, they were written in a way that Disney adults will find authentic. Except…where star number five is omitted from this review. You go to Disney World, where the parks are Epcot (Center at the time) and Magic Kingdom. You don’t go to Epcot and Disney World! Rookie mistake.
I’m summary, cute book. Decent mystery, great nostalgia, fun setting!
I’m summary, cute book. Decent mystery, great nostalgia, fun setting!
March 3, 2023
Book of the Mouse Club Podcast - March 2023 Selection. Check out our podcast for the upcoming episode discussing this book.
Admittedly, I've never read a Harlequin Romance novel before but absolutely had to get my hands on this one after learning one was set at Walt Disney World. This is a 2.5 rounded to a 3. While the Disney setting wasn't as prevalent as I'd hoped, my enjoyment was enhanced by its main location - Baltimore, MD. As a Baltimore native, I enjoyed the references to familiar locations just as much as the Disney attractions and shops name-dropped throughout. It was tamer than I expected and a fun retro-throwback to the many of the now closed/remodeled locations of 1980s Walt Disney World.
Admittedly, I've never read a Harlequin Romance novel before but absolutely had to get my hands on this one after learning one was set at Walt Disney World. This is a 2.5 rounded to a 3. While the Disney setting wasn't as prevalent as I'd hoped, my enjoyment was enhanced by its main location - Baltimore, MD. As a Baltimore native, I enjoyed the references to familiar locations just as much as the Disney attractions and shops name-dropped throughout. It was tamer than I expected and a fun retro-throwback to the many of the now closed/remodeled locations of 1980s Walt Disney World.
January 18, 2024
Read this because it was recommended in one of my Disney groups along with where to find it online. It was a fun quick read. Not a lot of character development. Not a lot of time spent in Disney. But it was fun to revisit the Disney of my youth. I could have been a child in the park as this crazy, illogical story took place. The whole Disney part of the story wasn’t very realistic. But it’s a romance novel it’s not supposed to be realistic
August 11, 2025
Runaway Heart swept me away from page one. Barbara’s search for her missing step-daughter with the help of the enigmatic Daniel McGuinn blends romance, mystery, and just the right touch of Disney magic. The chemistry is electric, the emotional beats hit hard, and the Walt Disney World setting makes this a charmingly unique Harlequin read. A hidden gem for romance lovers who enjoy heart-pounding stakes and heartfelt connections.
February 9, 2023
Honestly, I was just in it for the old-school Disney references. Which ended up being a minimal part of the book. Overall, the story wasn't bad: a little mystery, a little family drama. But nothing overly exciting. It will most likely live on my self as a conversation piece.
March 29, 2024
This book was such a fun read, especially since I read it at Epcot.
I went in with low expectations, and that definitely helped. You could tell it was written in the 80’s, but that added to the fun.
We need more romance novels based at Disney World.
I went in with low expectations, and that definitely helped. You could tell it was written in the 80’s, but that added to the fun.
We need more romance novels based at Disney World.
February 4, 2023
A Harlequin novel partially set in Disney World that has a literal chase scene take place at the Pirates of the Caribbean ride? I had to read it for myself lol
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March 29, 2024Maryland.
Florida.
Florida.
November 5, 2024
(2.5) Yeah the cover is very deceiving like three chapters happen in Disney. Also not very romance more detective/sleuthing. It was fine - will keep it forever though because of the cover.
March 14, 2025
I can't believe I found a copy! Total 80's harlequin cheese but for my disney loving heart it was worth a read. Quick, finished in a day
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews