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芽生え
Something was happening to their friendship ...
Robbie Fisher had always been a couple of years and a few changes behind her neighbor, Jason Morrow. Still, he'd lent an ear to all her dreams and troubles right up to the time he'd left for university.
Now he was back in Cincinnati, looking after his parents' home for the summer. But Robbie no longer felt comfortable confiding in him. He was the man with the golden future, while hers was still in question.
What could he be to her now? Stranger, big brother, friend or something disturbingly new? It was a dilemma Robbie could discuss with no one--Jason least of all!
Robbie Fisher had always been a couple of years and a few changes behind her neighbor, Jason Morrow. Still, he'd lent an ear to all her dreams and troubles right up to the time he'd left for university.
Now he was back in Cincinnati, looking after his parents' home for the summer. But Robbie no longer felt comfortable confiding in him. He was the man with the golden future, while hers was still in question.
What could he be to her now? Stranger, big brother, friend or something disturbingly new? It was a dilemma Robbie could discuss with no one--Jason least of all!
First published May 1, 1986
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351 people want to read
About the author
Amanda Carpenter
37 books44 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
Amanda Carpenter (aka Thea Harrison) resides in northern California. She wrote her first book, a romance, when she was nineteen and had sixteen romances published under the name Amanda Carpenter.
She took a break from writing to collect a couple of graduate degrees and a grown child. Her graduate degrees are in Philanthropic Studies and Library Information Science, but her first love has always been writing fiction. She's back with her paranormal Elder Races series under the pseudonym Thea Harrison.
Amanda Carpenter (aka Thea Harrison) resides in northern California. She wrote her first book, a romance, when she was nineteen and had sixteen romances published under the name Amanda Carpenter.
She took a break from writing to collect a couple of graduate degrees and a grown child. Her graduate degrees are in Philanthropic Studies and Library Information Science, but her first love has always been writing fiction. She's back with her paranormal Elder Races series under the pseudonym Thea Harrison.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews
January 12, 2022
"Waking Up" has to be one of the most bittersweet Love-stories in hplandia!How i have wanted to read this book for ages,and now when i have..i am crying!
Robbie Fisher and Jason Morrow have been neighbours and best-friends ever since they were kids.In all those years he has been her best-friend,brother and protecter...and now in their adult-hood,in this special summer..Robbie will have to walk in a journey full of sun,realizations,full-blown in her desire for Jason..she will have to realize that he is her own true soulmate.
And that journey was so beautiful.Jason Morrow is a special hero in hplandia.A 24-year old virgin who have waited for his only love with a patience,and that`s so beautiful and heart-wrenching!A Golden Boy-with a golden heart,strong passion for his Robbie..and how i love the scenes where he waited in the shadow under a tree just to watch Robbie from her bedroom window-these scenes where soooo romantic!He was calling out his desire for her-ahhh how i love this man!But you could also see that a passionate Alpha was hidden beaneath every time he with intense emotions raged at her,especially the scenes where he confesses his undying love to her.And the scene in the pool at that party...Robbie and Jason just simple nailed my expectations of perfect and sexy chemistry.
Robbie and Jason has to be the youngest couple in hp-landia as there only are two years between them,which also made me swoon with the sexy scenes between them.The fact that both are virgins was SO FREAKING romantic!
I love and A.D.O.R.E everything about "Waking Up",a true masterpiece about true love,Robbie`s and Jason`s love-story are truly bittersweet and exciting..and just so so so alluring!A Keeper that deserves 100-STARS!
Robbie Fisher and Jason Morrow have been neighbours and best-friends ever since they were kids.In all those years he has been her best-friend,brother and protecter...and now in their adult-hood,in this special summer..Robbie will have to walk in a journey full of sun,realizations,full-blown in her desire for Jason..she will have to realize that he is her own true soulmate.
And that journey was so beautiful.Jason Morrow is a special hero in hplandia.A 24-year old virgin who have waited for his only love with a patience,and that`s so beautiful and heart-wrenching!A Golden Boy-with a golden heart,strong passion for his Robbie..and how i love the scenes where he waited in the shadow under a tree just to watch Robbie from her bedroom window-these scenes where soooo romantic!He was calling out his desire for her-ahhh how i love this man!But you could also see that a passionate Alpha was hidden beaneath every time he with intense emotions raged at her,especially the scenes where he confesses his undying love to her.And the scene in the pool at that party...Robbie and Jason just simple nailed my expectations of perfect and sexy chemistry.
Robbie and Jason has to be the youngest couple in hp-landia as there only are two years between them,which also made me swoon with the sexy scenes between them.The fact that both are virgins was SO FREAKING romantic!
I love and A.D.O.R.E everything about "Waking Up",a true masterpiece about true love,Robbie`s and Jason`s love-story are truly bittersweet and exciting..and just so so so alluring!A Keeper that deserves 100-STARS!
April 2, 2011
Thanks to my friend Rae for the heads up on this book. I love me a virgin hero. I especially like when the hero is not portrayed as a freak or weirdo just because he’s a virgin. Instead, Jason is a very desirable, well-adjusted, mature guy of twenty-six, with valid reasons for his virginity. You see, Jason has been in love with his best friend for most of his life. He waited years for her. The whole while, Robbie still thinks of him as a friend. She loves him, but she has to get herself out of the mindset of being just friends to lovers, and forever partners in life. I think that the author did a good job of conveying that change that Robbie’s viewpoint had to undergo.
If it’s not already apparent, let me say that I loved Jason. He’s a very sensual, sexy, intelligent, together guy. I liked how patient and caring he was with Robbie, but definitely conveying his powerful feelings for her. It must have been very hard carrying the weight of his unrequited love for Robbie, trying to wait for her to wake up to the true bond between them.
I felt that things were a bit slow at times, as the author spent a lot of time showing Robbie in her normal routine. I wasn’t as much interested in that. I was more focused on her interactions with Jason, the escalation of their relationship from buddies to lovers. The tension between them was fantastic, even though the love scenes are more along the fade to black lines. I did enjoy seeing their relationship evolve, although Robbie frustrated me in how she seemed rather clueless about Jason’s motives. Like he would ever hurt or use her. I think he deserved more of her trust than that. It was clear that she had some growing up to do, but I was glad she did grow up enough by the end of the book to realize that Jason was the man for her.
Waking Up is a must-read for romance fans who love virgin heroes. Jason will impress!
If it’s not already apparent, let me say that I loved Jason. He’s a very sensual, sexy, intelligent, together guy. I liked how patient and caring he was with Robbie, but definitely conveying his powerful feelings for her. It must have been very hard carrying the weight of his unrequited love for Robbie, trying to wait for her to wake up to the true bond between them.
I felt that things were a bit slow at times, as the author spent a lot of time showing Robbie in her normal routine. I wasn’t as much interested in that. I was more focused on her interactions with Jason, the escalation of their relationship from buddies to lovers. The tension between them was fantastic, even though the love scenes are more along the fade to black lines. I did enjoy seeing their relationship evolve, although Robbie frustrated me in how she seemed rather clueless about Jason’s motives. Like he would ever hurt or use her. I think he deserved more of her trust than that. It was clear that she had some growing up to do, but I was glad she did grow up enough by the end of the book to realize that Jason was the man for her.
Waking Up is a must-read for romance fans who love virgin heroes. Jason will impress!
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October 27, 2023
3.5 stars for this very adorable little romance between a pair of lifelong neighbours and best friends. (Who are both virgins!)
The 22-year-old heroine has always seen the hero - two years older than her - as a best friend/older brother figure, but when she reunites with him after a separation, she's stunned to realise that her view of him has changed. As for him, he's always pined after her, but she's been oblivious. Honestly, not sure what this is doing as a Harlequin - it's basically the forerunner of all the New Adult romances we see nowadays.
I probably should have rounded down since there's a bit of unnecessary drama, and the heroine drags things out very unnecessarily, but the hero is so besotted I had to round up.
The 22-year-old heroine has always seen the hero - two years older than her - as a best friend/older brother figure, but when she reunites with him after a separation, she's stunned to realise that her view of him has changed. As for him, he's always pined after her, but she's been oblivious. Honestly, not sure what this is doing as a Harlequin - it's basically the forerunner of all the New Adult romances we see nowadays.
I probably should have rounded down since there's a bit of unnecessary drama, and the heroine drags things out very unnecessarily, but the hero is so besotted I had to round up.
August 24, 2013
This was just okay. I didn't feel that engaged with the characters both of whom were basically idiots. She was scared of her feelings and he expected her to know he loved her even though he'd never had the balls to ask her on a date or god forbid tell her he loved her. And here's something strange. WTF? Both of them. Just WTF?
March 6, 2015
Not a fan of untouched heroes & leaky wenches but the writing won me over, tho the languid pace coulda been tightened up a bit & the luv scenes shoulda been more descriptive. 1 of the bettah BFF-to-Luvers themed HP I end up liking despite reservations. Looking 4ward to checking out more of her backlist. Luved the apt title.
April 17, 2016
RE Waking Up - this one definitely falls into the just visiting HPlandia category. It also qualifies for what would be the New Adult genre now.
Both the 22 yr old h and the 26 yr old H are virgins and have been best friends and next door neighbors all their lives. The H goes away to college and graduates with a good job and the h works as a waitress and has no clue what she wants to do. The H decides to move back home for the summer to look after the family home while his parents are on vacation.
The H has been in love with the h for years, but she has him friend zoned - mainly cause she is really, really sheltered. She only has her dad to look out for her, her mum died and she has never fallen in love. She and the H spend a lot of time together, mostly hanging out like they did when they were kids, but the H stirs up some passionate feelings and she doesn't know how to handle them.
After many pages of daily minutiae, including the H being picked up on by another waitress where the h works, some casual dates with other people for both the h and the H and an h sprained ankle, the h finally takes herself off to get birth control and sleeps with the H. She is very unsure about the whole thing, she thinks the H just wants an affair, but she is willing to take the chance.
The end of the book is nigh, and that is when the HP drama finally kicks in - the day they finally consummate their relationship, a woman the H had been casually dating shows up later that afternoon at his house and runs into his arms. He calls and cancels his plans with the h and the OW winds up staying with the H until two in the morning.
The h sees this and takes off for the Virgin Island without a word to the H. She comes back two weeks later and he picks her up at the airport. She admits that she left because she couldn't handle her jealousy. He freaks out cause he has tried every way he knows to show her he loves her and she just isn't getting it.
Except---he really has been going all out to SHOW his feelings, it is really obvious to the reader, but he has never TOLD the h that he is in love with her --- and she is insecure enough and unaware enough to misunderstand WHY he was acting like he does. So FINALLY, he does tell her and they are really, really happy cause she is in love with him too. Her aimlessness was because he went away and she missed him horribly and now they can just be together forever and both wildly in love.
While far and away different from the usual HP, this one is worth reading. The pace is really slow and there is a lot of little daily things, but the gradual awakening of the h to her feelings and the H's really, really sweet attempts at courtship are worth the time spend and I honestly can't think of a sweeter romance in all of HPLandia - even though these two are really just visiting and won't be permanent residents.
I think most of AC's HP's are probably on some little island somewhere in the middle of HPlandia nowhere, they aren't the usual and the H's don't fit the usual HP Alpha mold, but they are all good love stories so I don't feel bad about the exceptions.
Both the 22 yr old h and the 26 yr old H are virgins and have been best friends and next door neighbors all their lives. The H goes away to college and graduates with a good job and the h works as a waitress and has no clue what she wants to do. The H decides to move back home for the summer to look after the family home while his parents are on vacation.
The H has been in love with the h for years, but she has him friend zoned - mainly cause she is really, really sheltered. She only has her dad to look out for her, her mum died and she has never fallen in love. She and the H spend a lot of time together, mostly hanging out like they did when they were kids, but the H stirs up some passionate feelings and she doesn't know how to handle them.
After many pages of daily minutiae, including the H being picked up on by another waitress where the h works, some casual dates with other people for both the h and the H and an h sprained ankle, the h finally takes herself off to get birth control and sleeps with the H. She is very unsure about the whole thing, she thinks the H just wants an affair, but she is willing to take the chance.
The end of the book is nigh, and that is when the HP drama finally kicks in - the day they finally consummate their relationship, a woman the H had been casually dating shows up later that afternoon at his house and runs into his arms. He calls and cancels his plans with the h and the OW winds up staying with the H until two in the morning.
The h sees this and takes off for the Virgin Island without a word to the H. She comes back two weeks later and he picks her up at the airport. She admits that she left because she couldn't handle her jealousy. He freaks out cause he has tried every way he knows to show her he loves her and she just isn't getting it.
Except---he really has been going all out to SHOW his feelings, it is really obvious to the reader, but he has never TOLD the h that he is in love with her --- and she is insecure enough and unaware enough to misunderstand WHY he was acting like he does. So FINALLY, he does tell her and they are really, really happy cause she is in love with him too. Her aimlessness was because he went away and she missed him horribly and now they can just be together forever and both wildly in love.
While far and away different from the usual HP, this one is worth reading. The pace is really slow and there is a lot of little daily things, but the gradual awakening of the h to her feelings and the H's really, really sweet attempts at courtship are worth the time spend and I honestly can't think of a sweeter romance in all of HPLandia - even though these two are really just visiting and won't be permanent residents.
I think most of AC's HP's are probably on some little island somewhere in the middle of HPlandia nowhere, they aren't the usual and the H's don't fit the usual HP Alpha mold, but they are all good love stories so I don't feel bad about the exceptions.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 28, 2018
“Waking Up” is the sweet sweet love story of Robbie and Jason.
A coming to age story of childhood best friends, our hero is visiting his town one summer- when suddenly our heroine, his partner in crime and neighbor, starts noticing him in a completely different light.
Confused by her feelings, she tries to push them away, but as she notices his eyes following her, his gaze fixed on her window, his anger on her dates and sudden light kisses, she realizes that their relationship might have taken a surprising turn..
What I found annoying about this book was the heroine and her confused tantrums, but the hero totally made up for it. Sweet, kind, devoted- just the way I like it!
The fact that they both sweetened the deal, and my favorite part undoubtedly was the end when the hero desperately tries to make the heroine understand all his feelings which she has been blind to. Ends on such a beautiful note and realization.
Safe for me/ SWE for some
3/5
A coming to age story of childhood best friends, our hero is visiting his town one summer- when suddenly our heroine, his partner in crime and neighbor, starts noticing him in a completely different light.
Confused by her feelings, she tries to push them away, but as she notices his eyes following her, his gaze fixed on her window, his anger on her dates and sudden light kisses, she realizes that their relationship might have taken a surprising turn..
What I found annoying about this book was the heroine and her confused tantrums, but the hero totally made up for it. Sweet, kind, devoted- just the way I like it!
The fact that they both sweetened the deal, and my favorite part undoubtedly was the end when the hero desperately tries to make the heroine understand all his feelings which she has been blind to. Ends on such a beautiful note and realization.
Safe for me/ SWE for some
3/5
November 28, 2020
3.25 stars
this was a really sweet (but intense) childhood friends to lovers story, jason remaining a virgin because he didn’t want anyone besides robbie and was waiting and hoping she would see him a romantic light was so refreshing coming from a harlequin.
this was a really sweet (but intense) childhood friends to lovers story, jason remaining a virgin because he didn’t want anyone besides robbie and was waiting and hoping she would see him a romantic light was so refreshing coming from a harlequin.
July 6, 2011
I am a fan of black&White movies esp from Pakistan and most of the stories back then were based on human emotions. The stories moved at a very slow pace and that's what this story reminds me of. It may have been the fact that the first time that I read this book, all my friends were working while I had just resigned to avail a scholarship and was extremely discontent with the situation. I connected with the heroine's depression. I also reacted very strongly to the beta hero. He gives the h time to adjust to him and his feelings. He is frustrated and yet he still manages to keep in mind that the other person is confused. The fact that he manages to use desire to help the relationship progress without forcing the heroine really struck out.
I also really liked that it was shown that they were friends and not just stated. They reminiscence about shared memories and Robbie trusts J which I really liked. The H really cared for the heroine and it shows in the way he handles her confusion. The heroine is 22 years old and I do know plenty 22 years-old who are very childlike as Robbie was (esp cuz she was very sheltered)
I also really liked that it was shown that they were friends and not just stated. They reminiscence about shared memories and Robbie trusts J which I really liked. The H really cared for the heroine and it shows in the way he handles her confusion. The heroine is 22 years old and I do know plenty 22 years-old who are very childlike as Robbie was (esp cuz she was very sheltered)
July 20, 2013
This was very sweet and I enjoyed it. I always love a good best-friends to lovers story. However, I really don't think this should have been published as a Harlequin Presents. This has more the feel of a Harlequin Superromance or maybe even Harlequin Romance if you stretch it a little. Small town America and boy next-door romance. The heroine was an immature ninny with no ambition or direction in her life. The hero was really sweet, honorable and steadfast and for him I give this book 4 stars.
Like Lady Danielle mentioned, literally half the book was about the daily menial tasks the heroine spent her time doing. Which really wasn't very interesting because the heroine is an aimless drifter with nothing to do all day except clean house and lounge around in the sun until her waitressing job at night. Did really half the book need to be spent describing her cleaning house and making coffee? This would have been so much more enjoyable if more time had been spent on the relationship. Ah well, a sweet story anyway, thanks to our hero, Jason, and a nice change of pace.
Like Lady Danielle mentioned, literally half the book was about the daily menial tasks the heroine spent her time doing. Which really wasn't very interesting because the heroine is an aimless drifter with nothing to do all day except clean house and lounge around in the sun until her waitressing job at night. Did really half the book need to be spent describing her cleaning house and making coffee? This would have been so much more enjoyable if more time had been spent on the relationship. Ah well, a sweet story anyway, thanks to our hero, Jason, and a nice change of pace.
April 19, 2010
SUMMARY:
Robbie Fisher had always been a couple of years and a few changes behind her neighbor, Jason Morrow. Still, he'd lent an ear to all her dreams and troubles right up to the time he'd left for university.
Now he was back in Cincinnati, looking after his parents' home for the summer. But Robbie no longer felt comfortable confiding in him. He was the man with the golden future, while hers was still in question.
What could he be to her now? Stranger, big brother, friend or something disturbingly new? It was a dilemma Robbie could discuss with no one - Jason least of all!
REVIEW:
This was one of the first adult romances I read and I've always remembered it because of Jason's intensity when it comes to Robbie. I recently found it again on my mom's bookshelf and felt the same way now that I did then after reading it. If you happen to ever find it, definitely read it.
Robbie Fisher had always been a couple of years and a few changes behind her neighbor, Jason Morrow. Still, he'd lent an ear to all her dreams and troubles right up to the time he'd left for university.
Now he was back in Cincinnati, looking after his parents' home for the summer. But Robbie no longer felt comfortable confiding in him. He was the man with the golden future, while hers was still in question.
What could he be to her now? Stranger, big brother, friend or something disturbingly new? It was a dilemma Robbie could discuss with no one - Jason least of all!
REVIEW:
This was one of the first adult romances I read and I've always remembered it because of Jason's intensity when it comes to Robbie. I recently found it again on my mom's bookshelf and felt the same way now that I did then after reading it. If you happen to ever find it, definitely read it.
February 1, 2016
I did not rate this higher even though it was a good story because it fell short for me. I can't really define how it did but I just wanted more. He was a great hero and when she decided she wants to have sex with him because they are both virgin no passion just goes see the doctor and get myself all suited up for some sex lessons which we do not even read about btw!!! I wanted to have more then a grope at her breast! Wow it had so much potential to be an awesome read but just did not work for me. Also what is she going to do with her life are they going to get married and how will this work with his current life!??? Questions and no answer just fell short.
January 27, 2012
Yay, 4.5 stars. This was a really feel-good story. Not a lot of fighting between the hero and heroine compared to most blackmail-based HPs, but instead the tension is supplied by her confusion over her feelings for her long-time childhood friend. It's pretty obvious to the reader that the hero is in love with her the whole time, which is something I like (I prefer the hero more besotted than the heroine, until the end). This is a sweet story and makes you very happy for them. Agree with other reviewers that it's a little slow at times, which is why I didn't give it 5 stars.
December 15, 2011
Probably the most profound and beautiful book about children growing up into teenagers into adults and lovers. I love the whole discovery of being in love with your best friend. I seriously loved the emotions in this book. It was written so correctly and beautifully that I had to wonder whether the author married her childhood sweetheart. Absolutely lovely!
September 6, 2025
It’s very different from other HP’s because she is 22 and he is 24. Usually the H is much older than the h. They are neighbours and they’ve known each other since childhood.
He is besotted and he has dedicated his life to her, waiting for her, coming back for her. He’s a dream H, open, honest, nice and gentle.
She on the other hand did and said some hurtful things all throughout the books, she was childish and she cried a whole lot.
She never had to wonder where he is because he came to her house almost every day. Love it when a H can’t stay away. His confession on page 155 made him even more attractive.
Not a lot happened, it’s mostly about her falling in love with him. He was already in love with her.
He is besotted and he has dedicated his life to her, waiting for her, coming back for her. He’s a dream H, open, honest, nice and gentle.
She on the other hand did and said some hurtful things all throughout the books, she was childish and she cried a whole lot.
She never had to wonder where he is because he came to her house almost every day. Love it when a H can’t stay away. His confession on page 155 made him even more attractive.
Not a lot happened, it’s mostly about her falling in love with him. He was already in love with her.
December 11, 2013
"Well then, you’ll probably find yourself some sweet young virgin, fresh out of high school, and spend the rest of your life having the little woman take care of you.”
He winced, exaggeratedly. “I already have a doormat and I have no overriding desire to have someone running all day long to cater to my needs, for God’s sake. Can’t you imagine some other, less stifling future for me?”
Yeah, you tell them ;)How can you not love this guy...
He was a likable, sweet and decent hero. Aaannnndd
It was a light friends to lovers read. With H Jason loving the girl next door h since childhood. It had more of a high school vibe. There was a lot of crying on h's part...
She absolutely cried for no particular reason. It was funny... I wanted the h to have some layers. But it didn't bother me much. It could have been focused on the pair more than on the jealousy drama. It had some "talk to each other already!!!" moments. But it didn't hit any of my pet peeves other than the slut shaming of Casey and co... Some things didn't make sense at all.But I liked it.
“You’re the love of my life,” he murmured softly. “And I never want to let you go, or leave again. I want to grow old with you and share the sum total of my years and myself. I want to be your lover and your best friend, and…Robbie, I want so much. I’m afraid to go any further. Please, be very sure.”
February 9, 2019
This book is NOT your typical HP but that's it's USP . Amanda Carpenter gives us a very believable 22 year old heroine ,Robbie , who is very confused about her future ,so she works as a waitress at the local restaurant hoping to sort it all out for herself . The hero -Jason- is 24 years old with a normal middle class job ,house and parents . This is no ruthless ,domineering , nasty tongued millionaire hero ! The h & H are neighbors and childhood best friends who have known each other for ages . Though we don't actually get his POV ,it's made very clear from page 1 that he loves h . The transition from childhood friends to lovers is handled with immense sensitivity and credibility by Carpenter . Jason is also another rare thing in HP land ...he's a virgin (like the heroine),very patient and never ever acts like a jackass . We have so many novels where the hero is a decade older; they've adored the little heroine from her childhood but for some unfathomable reason they revert to suitable HP jerk behavior when she grows up. This very young hero should teach all these HP blokes on how to behave . Read it for the last page which beautifully summarizes what marriage should be like . This book made me wish I had a Jason in my life to know as a child and grow old with.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 11, 2025
Unusual and nice, but not so easy to rate.
A New adult romance - just imagine subtracting a few years from the main couple’s ages, and suddenly, you have an awkward romance between two high school students.
The H is 24, the h is 22.
The H shifts between his two personas - a horny teenage lover and a platonic childhood friend - without warning. No wonder the h feels confused and struggles to understand what's going on.
What concerns me is the H’s listlessness. The word “depression” is mentioned several times. She is frequently described as being too exhausted to move and too apathetic to engage with her life. The cause named is the H’s absence.
Meanwhile, a besotted hero waits patiently for the immature heroine to grow up and recognize him as a man. I’d call her emotionally underdeveloped TBH. The H’s determined to make the most of his four years at college, pushing himself to the top. He feels the urgency to succeed quickly, unable to stay away from the heroine.
I feel his pain, but I think he puts too much pressure on the h.
A New adult romance - just imagine subtracting a few years from the main couple’s ages, and suddenly, you have an awkward romance between two high school students.
The H is 24, the h is 22.
The H shifts between his two personas - a horny teenage lover and a platonic childhood friend - without warning. No wonder the h feels confused and struggles to understand what's going on.
What concerns me is the H’s listlessness. The word “depression” is mentioned several times. She is frequently described as being too exhausted to move and too apathetic to engage with her life. The cause named is the H’s absence.
Meanwhile, a besotted hero waits patiently for the immature heroine to grow up and recognize him as a man. I’d call her emotionally underdeveloped TBH. The H’s determined to make the most of his four years at college, pushing himself to the top. He feels the urgency to succeed quickly, unable to stay away from the heroine.
I feel his pain, but I think he puts too much pressure on the h.
February 18, 2019
This was cute. Unusual for harlequins since both the Hero and heroine are young, 24 and 22 respectively. In fact this is what I liked about it, a much more realistic feel and I imagine, if I had read this as a teenager, it would have been most swoon worthy 😊 it’s certainly more realistic than imagining an 18 year old falling for a 35year old man.
It’s a friends to lovers romance, the Hero has been smitten for a long time but the heroine still thinks of him as her best buddy. I could feel his frustration, poor guy. Though he is young he is doing well for himself in his work, it makes a pleasant change from all the billionaire Heroes. The heroine was a bit immature but I guess hat was the point of the story.
3.5 rounded to 4.
It’s a friends to lovers romance, the Hero has been smitten for a long time but the heroine still thinks of him as her best buddy. I could feel his frustration, poor guy. Though he is young he is doing well for himself in his work, it makes a pleasant change from all the billionaire Heroes. The heroine was a bit immature but I guess hat was the point of the story.
3.5 rounded to 4.
July 16, 2024
3½ Stars
This is a coming-of-age romance ... it's a best-friends-to-lovers ... it's the boy-girl-next-door. Our hero Jason is 24 and he's been in love with heroine, Robbie, 22, all his life. He's always just wanted her to be the one to share his life with. Robbie grew up as a motherless tomboy and it took her forever to find her feminine side. No boy / man has made her desire them, until Jason kisses her. Now she's noticing how much he's matured and the way his toned body has a starring role in her fantasies. ... This is a slower paced romance, filled with confusion, sexual tension and finally a well deserved HA.
This is a coming-of-age romance ... it's a best-friends-to-lovers ... it's the boy-girl-next-door. Our hero Jason is 24 and he's been in love with heroine, Robbie, 22, all his life. He's always just wanted her to be the one to share his life with. Robbie grew up as a motherless tomboy and it took her forever to find her feminine side. No boy / man has made her desire them, until Jason kisses her. Now she's noticing how much he's matured and the way his toned body has a starring role in her fantasies. ... This is a slower paced romance, filled with confusion, sexual tension and finally a well deserved HA.
January 30, 2025
did not feel the connection
December 8, 2015
I long forgotten how much I love the friends to lovers theme. Jason is a one of a kind hero. I'm lost for words. The book sets this tingling awareness of unrequited tortured love that awaits to be recognized. You see the tenderness, devotion, love and the hot repressed desire that even a single touch can set it off. I love this book.
January 25, 2010
I loved this book! I read it numerous times before I lost my copy :-( This is a story about the boy next door who falls in love with the girl next door and it takes her a while to see what right in front of her. Very well done! One of my favorite themes.
June 13, 2011
I know people liked this book very much because of the likable besotted hero but it was very flat when looked at as a whole.
January 17, 2012
A little too much miscommunication and angst.
April 14, 2024
Waking up is me while reading this book because it was very hard to stay awake.
The hero and the heroine are bff, he’s in love with her but she still sees him as a friends even if he’s been waiting forever for her. One kiss here, one touch there, they make love. They date op but no sex involved and nothing really serious, so they become lovers, or better, this is what the heroine thinks, until she sees him hugging a friend of his, and she gets madly jealous. Until the last pages she doesn’t understand she loves him and the poor man was always there, always patient always kind and always for her. Too much. Ok for kind heroes, but this one was the female version of Diana palmers martyr heroines. Annnddd nope, not my cuppa. And the heroine was quite annoying and behaving like a 12 yo not a 23 yo.
The hero and the heroine are bff, he’s in love with her but she still sees him as a friends even if he’s been waiting forever for her. One kiss here, one touch there, they make love. They date op but no sex involved and nothing really serious, so they become lovers, or better, this is what the heroine thinks, until she sees him hugging a friend of his, and she gets madly jealous. Until the last pages she doesn’t understand she loves him and the poor man was always there, always patient always kind and always for her. Too much. Ok for kind heroes, but this one was the female version of Diana palmers martyr heroines. Annnddd nope, not my cuppa. And the heroine was quite annoying and behaving like a 12 yo not a 23 yo.
December 19, 2018
Genuinely charming and unusual for a Presents of this era. Friends-to-lovers, second chance romance set in Cincinnati in a working class setting with no jet-setting or otherwise ott shenanigans. It took me forever to finish this book, but not because I wasn't enjoying it--because I temporarily lost it! If you can get your hands on this early Thea Harrison, I recommend it.
August 11, 2024
4.5 stars
I really enjoyed this story. The love they had for each other was so deep and beautiful. I have not read a Harlequin where the Hero is a virgin but this added so much depth to the story. Jason was waiting for her and had an amazing perception of Love. He is one of my all time favourite heroes. Maybe even more than Mal in Impulsive Gambler!
I really enjoyed this story. The love they had for each other was so deep and beautiful. I have not read a Harlequin where the Hero is a virgin but this added so much depth to the story. Jason was waiting for her and had an amazing perception of Love. He is one of my all time favourite heroes. Maybe even more than Mal in Impulsive Gambler!
June 21, 2019
lovely profound childhood sweethearts story !!
August 1, 2025
Nice enough.
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