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A Time to Love
Arielle Pasteur had hoped to find the solitude she craves on the private West Indian Beach, but instead she finds outrageously handsome fashion photographer Chris Howe who, behind his overbearing, arrogant exterior, is a gentle soul who wins Arielle's heart. Reissue.
256 pages, Paperback
First published July 1, 1982
98 people are currently reading
292 people want to read
About the author
Barbara Delinsky
307 books4,356 followersI was born and raised in suburban Boston. My mother’s death, when I was eight, was the defining event of a childhood that was otherwise ordinary. I took piano lessons and flute lessons. I took ballroom dancing lessons. I went to summer camp through my fifteenth year (in Maine, which explains the setting of so many of my stories), then spent my sixteenth summer learning to type and to drive (two skills that have served me better than all of my other high school courses combined). I earned a B.A. in Psychology at Tufts University and an M.A. in Sociology at Boston College. The motivation behind the M.A. was sheer greed. My husband was just starting law school. We needed the money.
Following graduate school, I worked as a researcher with the Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children, and as a photographer and reporter for the Belmont Herald. I did the newspaper work after my first son was born. Since I was heavily into taking pictures of him, I worked for the paper to support that habit. Initially, I wrote only in a secondary capacity, to provide copy for the pictures I took. In time, I realized that I was better at writing than photography. I used both skills doing volunteer work for hospital groups, and have served on the Board of Directors of the Friends of the Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center and on the MGH’s Women’s Cancer Advisory Board.
I became an actual writer by fluke. My twins were four when, by chance, I happened on a newspaper article profiling three female writers. Intrigued, I spent three months researching, plotting, and writing my own book - and it sold.
My niche? I write about the emotional crises that we face in our lives. Readers identify with my characters. They know them. They are them. I'm an everyday woman writing about everyday people facing not-so-everyday challenges.
My novels are character-driven studies of marriage, parenthood, sibling rivalry, and friendship, and I’ve been blessed in having readers who buy them eagerly enough to put them on the major bestseller lists. One of my latest, Sweet Salt Air, came out in 2013. Blueprints, my second novel with St. Martin’s Press, became my 22nd New York Times bestselling novel soon after its release in June 2015. Making Up, my work in progress, will be published in 2018.
2018? Yikes. I didn’t think I’d live that long. I thought I’d die of breast cancer back in the 1900's, like my mom. But I didn’t. I was diagnosed nearly twenty years ago, had surgery and treatment, and here I am, stronger than ever and loving having authored yet another book, this one the non-fiction Uplift: Secrets From the Sisterhood of Breast Cancer Survivors. First published in 2001, Uplift is a handbook of practical tips and upbeat anecdotes that I compiled with the help of 350 breast cancer survivors, their families and friends. These survivors just ... blew me away! They gave me the book that I wish I’d had way back when I was diagnosed. There is no medical information here, nothing frightening, simply practical advice from friends who’ve had breast cancer. The 10th Anniversary Volume of Uplift is now in print. And the money I’ve made on the book? Every cent has gone to my charitable foundation, which funds an ongoing research fellowship at Massachusetts General Hospital.
Connect with me on Facebook: facebook.com/bdelinsky
Look for my photos on Instagram: instagram.com/barbaradelinsky
Following graduate school, I worked as a researcher with the Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children, and as a photographer and reporter for the Belmont Herald. I did the newspaper work after my first son was born. Since I was heavily into taking pictures of him, I worked for the paper to support that habit. Initially, I wrote only in a secondary capacity, to provide copy for the pictures I took. In time, I realized that I was better at writing than photography. I used both skills doing volunteer work for hospital groups, and have served on the Board of Directors of the Friends of the Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center and on the MGH’s Women’s Cancer Advisory Board.
I became an actual writer by fluke. My twins were four when, by chance, I happened on a newspaper article profiling three female writers. Intrigued, I spent three months researching, plotting, and writing my own book - and it sold.
My niche? I write about the emotional crises that we face in our lives. Readers identify with my characters. They know them. They are them. I'm an everyday woman writing about everyday people facing not-so-everyday challenges.
My novels are character-driven studies of marriage, parenthood, sibling rivalry, and friendship, and I’ve been blessed in having readers who buy them eagerly enough to put them on the major bestseller lists. One of my latest, Sweet Salt Air, came out in 2013. Blueprints, my second novel with St. Martin’s Press, became my 22nd New York Times bestselling novel soon after its release in June 2015. Making Up, my work in progress, will be published in 2018.
2018? Yikes. I didn’t think I’d live that long. I thought I’d die of breast cancer back in the 1900's, like my mom. But I didn’t. I was diagnosed nearly twenty years ago, had surgery and treatment, and here I am, stronger than ever and loving having authored yet another book, this one the non-fiction Uplift: Secrets From the Sisterhood of Breast Cancer Survivors. First published in 2001, Uplift is a handbook of practical tips and upbeat anecdotes that I compiled with the help of 350 breast cancer survivors, their families and friends. These survivors just ... blew me away! They gave me the book that I wish I’d had way back when I was diagnosed. There is no medical information here, nothing frightening, simply practical advice from friends who’ve had breast cancer. The 10th Anniversary Volume of Uplift is now in print. And the money I’ve made on the book? Every cent has gone to my charitable foundation, which funds an ongoing research fellowship at Massachusetts General Hospital.
Connect with me on Facebook: facebook.com/bdelinsky
Look for my photos on Instagram: instagram.com/barbaradelinsky
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
September 7, 2024
This is quite possibly the stupidest book I've ever read. The main love interest is scarily controlling and arrogant and has some major anger issues. And Arielle is a doormat with no self-respect. He basically assaults her when they first meet, and yet, somehow, the events of this book still occur. Any self-respecting woman would have noped out in the first twenty minutes. But, as you soon find out, Arielle is ABSOLUTELY NOT a self-respecting woman.
But here, let the book speak for itself. As they're about to do the deed for the first time: "'Are you absolutely sure, Arielle?' he whispered, sinking down onto the bed beside her without undressing further. 'I won't let you change your mind, once we get past this point ...'" In other words, "I'm going to rape you if you withdraw consent." Ugh. And this is him being "romantic" ... or whatever passes for romantic when you have the emotional maturity of a tantrum-throwing toddler. And that's probably an insult to the toddler.
I hated this book with an insane passion. I knew it wasn't going to be one of my favorites before I even started it (it was the only book I could easily get my hands on for St. Maarten for my Around the World challenge), but I certainly didn't expect ... whatever this was. Holy relationship red flags, Batman.
But here, let the book speak for itself. As they're about to do the deed for the first time: "'Are you absolutely sure, Arielle?' he whispered, sinking down onto the bed beside her without undressing further. 'I won't let you change your mind, once we get past this point ...'" In other words, "I'm going to rape you if you withdraw consent." Ugh. And this is him being "romantic" ... or whatever passes for romantic when you have the emotional maturity of a tantrum-throwing toddler. And that's probably an insult to the toddler.
I hated this book with an insane passion. I knew it wasn't going to be one of my favorites before I even started it (it was the only book I could easily get my hands on for St. Maarten for my Around the World challenge), but I certainly didn't expect ... whatever this was. Holy relationship red flags, Batman.
August 10, 2021
If you want to be PISSED then read this, I certainly was. Chris was such a jerk, a total asshole. The first meeting between Arielle and him was super uncomfortable, as he forced a kiss on her. It was sexual assault. What's worse was that Arielle seemed to forgive this quite quickly, and she put up with all his bullshit. Throughout the whole book, he would seem loving and sweet, but then the next second he would lose his temper and run off. This happened every. single. time. When they finally got back at the end, Arielle forgave waaaaayyyyyy to quickly when he was clearly horrible and needed to do way more begging.
Of course, Delinsky wrote this to discuss how misconceptions and how a lack of forthrightness and honesty in couples can lead to issues such as those in this book. I respect that. However, I don't respect Arielle letting Chris get away with all his awful behavior and rejections. Sure, he had his reasons, but they did NOT excuse his meanness.
Needless to say, I am mad.
Of course, Delinsky wrote this to discuss how misconceptions and how a lack of forthrightness and honesty in couples can lead to issues such as those in this book. I respect that. However, I don't respect Arielle letting Chris get away with all his awful behavior and rejections. Sure, he had his reasons, but they did NOT excuse his meanness.
Needless to say, I am mad.
July 31, 2022
I'm always hesitant to read romances as they're either sappy or spicy in a silly way. This one blurs both.
Arielle and Chris, both main characters, are the least likeable characters I've possibly ever read. Truly, they have no redeemable qualities. Chris is a narcissistic, brooding, time bomb; and Arielle is a nonstop self conscious tease. Although, I understand her side a little more than his, either way, she isn't a redeemable character.
Throughout the entire novel, I await for the two of them to figure it out and get together, but it always ends in a fight between them. Moreover, the arguments are petty and sometimes make zero sense in the grand scheme of the plot.
The only reason I didn't give this a 1/5 was because it ended the way I wanted it to end.
Arielle and Chris, both main characters, are the least likeable characters I've possibly ever read. Truly, they have no redeemable qualities. Chris is a narcissistic, brooding, time bomb; and Arielle is a nonstop self conscious tease. Although, I understand her side a little more than his, either way, she isn't a redeemable character.
Throughout the entire novel, I await for the two of them to figure it out and get together, but it always ends in a fight between them. Moreover, the arguments are petty and sometimes make zero sense in the grand scheme of the plot.
The only reason I didn't give this a 1/5 was because it ended the way I wanted it to end.
January 11, 2023
First, this book was incredibly difficult to read. The language was too flowery.
Second, I cannot stand Chris. When he meets Arielle, he basically assaults her. He is manipulative and rude. It is sad that this is thought of as a romance novel. Chris physically assaults her on more than one occasion and at the end she just falls in love with him? Disappointing.
Second, I cannot stand Chris. When he meets Arielle, he basically assaults her. He is manipulative and rude. It is sad that this is thought of as a romance novel. Chris physically assaults her on more than one occasion and at the end she just falls in love with him? Disappointing.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 11, 2018
This was one of Delinsky’s earliest books and I was surprised by how much I liked it. The characters were strong and likable, the island setting seductive beyond belief, and even though the story was not extremely original it was good enough.
July 23, 2025
I seriously don’t know how I got past the first chapter, let alone actually finish this book. I will never understand how a woman could possibly fall in love with such a cruel, arrogant, egotistical man.
January 25, 2019
Didn’t like the characters at all. This was too much like a harlequin romance.
June 3, 2021
Soft porn.
January 11, 2011
This story had it ups and down but the writing of it was very emotional and it was easy to get caught up with the feelings between Arielle and Christopher.
Arielle Pasteur had come to stay for a month at a villa on the Isle of St Maarten for a rest. On her first day as she was resting on the beach she was accosted by Christopher Howe, a fashion photographer, who told her angrily that she was trespassing, he also accused of being there to manipulate him.
She was shaken by this meeting but it was smoothed over when she asked her brother to talk to the friend who had arranged her to stay here.
Arielle was attracted to Chris but there was something in her past that made her shy away from intimacy and she felt she could not talk to Chris about even he kept asking her if she had a problem, so they played a game of cat and mouse – they would be hot for each other then there would be an about turn. Chris often seemed to be angry with her. He talked her into allowing him to take photos of her for his own benefit, but there was another reason for this which you find out at the end of the book.
At least it has a good ending which is what I like when I read a book.
Arielle Pasteur had come to stay for a month at a villa on the Isle of St Maarten for a rest. On her first day as she was resting on the beach she was accosted by Christopher Howe, a fashion photographer, who told her angrily that she was trespassing, he also accused of being there to manipulate him.
She was shaken by this meeting but it was smoothed over when she asked her brother to talk to the friend who had arranged her to stay here.
Arielle was attracted to Chris but there was something in her past that made her shy away from intimacy and she felt she could not talk to Chris about even he kept asking her if she had a problem, so they played a game of cat and mouse – they would be hot for each other then there would be an about turn. Chris often seemed to be angry with her. He talked her into allowing him to take photos of her for his own benefit, but there was another reason for this which you find out at the end of the book.
At least it has a good ending which is what I like when I read a book.
June 29, 2012
I downloaded this book because while vacationing in St. Martin I wanted to read books set there. I like to feel the culture of an area when I vacation there and not just feel like a tourist. I never liked the characters in this book. The female character was not a strong, independent woman. She had potential to be one and occasionally she made a strong move, but she was primarily weak and allowed herself to be a victim over and over again. The male character was a jerk and I never warmed up to him despite his excuses for being aggressive and demeaning. I enjoyed reading the small parts where the author described a location in St. Martin but those small passages were the only thing I enjoyed about the book.
August 17, 2015
This was the first romance novel I've read in its entirety so far in my life. This book is about Arielle Pasteur and Christopher Howe, two photographers, and the journey they went through to fall in love and to determine that it's best for them to spend the rest of their lives with each other. It was extremely shocking to see this happen because of Howe's actions throughout the story. How he first approaches Arielle was a bit too much for me. I would go so far as to have described his initial actions as rape. His egotistical and controlling nature at times made me feel scared for Arielle, but she saw something in him that I, if I were female, would have been disgusted by. Amazing how such a story could have so many twists and turns that lead to such a unexpected ending.
May 6, 2010
Sweet romantic story. Beautiful description of scenery
February 21, 2012
A Steamy love story and a good summer read.
April 28, 2012
I loved the entire series by Barbara Cameron -- so far, there are only three -- I am so hoping that she will continue the stories!
June 25, 2016
Early book, not her best
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews