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Strangers #1
Strangers When We Meet
Is it possible?
During Desert Storm, Rosie Armstrong's husband went off to war. He didn't return. She was told that he was missing in action -- and presumed dead.
For years, she couldn't accept that Nick was dead, couldn't believe it. But she got on with her life because she had to -- for her child's sake. Eventually she met another man and allowed herself to fall in love with him. She's finally said yes to Zach's proposal of marriage....
And then there's a phone call. "Your husband's not dead." He was a prisoner of war all those years, kept hidden in Iraqi bunkers.
He's coming home. A stranger
During Desert Storm, Rosie Armstrong's husband went off to war. He didn't return. She was told that he was missing in action -- and presumed dead.
For years, she couldn't accept that Nick was dead, couldn't believe it. But she got on with her life because she had to -- for her child's sake. Eventually she met another man and allowed herself to fall in love with him. She's finally said yes to Zach's proposal of marriage....
And then there's a phone call. "Your husband's not dead." He was a prisoner of war all those years, kept hidden in Iraqi bunkers.
He's coming home. A stranger
296 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1997
About the author
Rebecca Winters
1,162 books206 followersaka Rebecca Brown Burton, Rebecca Burton
Rebecca Winters, born Rebecca Brown Burton, was the author of over 175 romance novels published with Harlequin, delighting readers worldwide for more than 35 years. Her stories, translated into many languages, have sold nearly thirty million copies. A French teacher turned novelist, she combined her love of language, family, and storytelling into a remarkable literary legacy.
Rebecca Winters, born Rebecca Brown Burton, was the author of over 175 romance novels published with Harlequin, delighting readers worldwide for more than 35 years. Her stories, translated into many languages, have sold nearly thirty million copies. A French teacher turned novelist, she combined her love of language, family, and storytelling into a remarkable literary legacy.
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
June 2, 2026
Reading about men in uniform always gets me emotionally. My father was in the army. We grew up hearing battleground stories first hand from him and his friends. No one should romanticize war; but soldiers are romantic people I believe. And they strongly need the assurance of love of their loved ones back home when they are out doing what they are honor bound to do.
I also remember hearing a story in hushed tones, years ago as a kid- about the daughter of a brigadier whose officer husband went MIA and she went ahead and married a civilian (a dirty word that!) only for the soldier to return back. She stuck with the second husband only to be shunned by her own family for life. Thinking of that soldier always left me feeling anguished even when I never knew him or even what happened with him or them afterwards.
So yes, picking up this book I thought I’d be impartial and give this h a chance. Being a soldier doesn’t have to mean you are always the hero of the story.
But I have to say this is a difficult story to take and a very difficult romance to believe in.
All because she was essentially in love with both men. There’s no other way of putting it.
If you ask me, she couldn’t have had a true hea with either of them – guilt, doubts, memories, what ifs would always interfere (despite what she says at the end.)
I also remember hearing a story in hushed tones, years ago as a kid- about the daughter of a brigadier whose officer husband went MIA and she went ahead and married a civilian (a dirty word that!) only for the soldier to return back. She stuck with the second husband only to be shunned by her own family for life. Thinking of that soldier always left me feeling anguished even when I never knew him or even what happened with him or them afterwards.
So yes, picking up this book I thought I’d be impartial and give this h a chance. Being a soldier doesn’t have to mean you are always the hero of the story.
But I have to say this is a difficult story to take and a very difficult romance to believe in.
All because she was essentially in love with both men. There’s no other way of putting it.
If you ask me, she couldn’t have had a true hea with either of them – guilt, doubts, memories, what ifs would always interfere (despite what she says at the end.)
December 12, 2017
5 stars for the hero I hated the heroine she wanted to marry the other man and always thought about his feelings but not the heroes the hero was really amazing he deserved someone better .I am not blaming the heroine that she accepted the other mans proposal when she thought the hero had died but when he came back she should have stepped back which she did but not wholeheartedly.she wanted to try with the hero as he was her husband but when he told no she went back to the otherman within a week she could have taken much more time than that.Actually i think she wanted both men at the same time as this is not a menage a trois novel the writer decided on one man .
May 31, 2021
I couldn’t put this book down. I cried several times thinking about the terror a POW goes thru. After 7 years in captivity, with your family believing you are dead, trying to resume the life you left behind is difficult.
November 14, 2016
Heart wrenching tale of second chance and conflicting loves. I generally don't like love triangles, especially involving OM but the other reviews just made me want to read this and I'm so glad I did.
I was firmly in camp Nick (the H) all the way and my heart hurt when I thought of what he must be going through to find all that he'd survived for, had changed fundamentally. There are moments in this book that made me take a breather because the emotion they evoke are so painful. Wonderful, wonderful writing.
I had some sympathy for the OM and unlike other reviewers, by the end I had little sympathy for the h. Well, no that wouldn't be quite right. It must be anguish to be caught between two men and not know who to choose. My problem was that I believe she did choose though her actions. She chose in so many ways. Her pov showed that she missed the OM, wanted to be with him, always wanting to reassure him and kept stating they were engaged and physically showed him affection. With Nick all of those were missing.
To be fair to her she did try and put the OM on the back burner while she gave time to the H, yet it was the OM who drove those decisions not her. The over riding emotion for Nick appeared to be guilt and then jealousy of being out of the close relationship with their son and friends. What! she expected he would keep her close even when he knew she was in love with another man...that's just self centered.
I felt little joy from her at his return, just an 'Oh God, what do I do?'. That beyond anything else made me actively dislike her. The betrayal lay not in loving the OM but in the lack of total joy someone would show at the return from the dead of a loved one, regardless of the subsequent complications. In the book it seeks to suggest shock, maybe so but still it didn't appear to play out like that to me.
The reunion scene of Nicks friend with his wife seem to underline to the h how she'd robbed Nick, yet again it was about guilt. She cared for him but demonstrating a true love for him. So I understood Nicks actions in pushing her away, in fact he was amazing. He did what he did to make things easier for the h. The bitterness he was entitled to feel, didn't come through in his actions. She on the other hand just turned around and went back to the OM, hardly convincing if you're trying to show its not guilt that's motivating you in the first place.
I was disappointed with the ending because I wasn't sold on her decision. Did love drive her actions or petty jealousy of his relationship with his son, potentially other women. I felt she really needed to mend some fences with Nick, and Nick, well he rolled over too easily but then he is a nicer human being than myself.
Since I read this in one sitting, I'm going to put this on the re-read pile and see if it still stirs up the emotions.
I was firmly in camp Nick (the H) all the way and my heart hurt when I thought of what he must be going through to find all that he'd survived for, had changed fundamentally. There are moments in this book that made me take a breather because the emotion they evoke are so painful. Wonderful, wonderful writing.
I had some sympathy for the OM and unlike other reviewers, by the end I had little sympathy for the h. Well, no that wouldn't be quite right. It must be anguish to be caught between two men and not know who to choose. My problem was that I believe she did choose though her actions. She chose in so many ways. Her pov showed that she missed the OM, wanted to be with him, always wanting to reassure him and kept stating they were engaged and physically showed him affection. With Nick all of those were missing.
To be fair to her she did try and put the OM on the back burner while she gave time to the H, yet it was the OM who drove those decisions not her. The over riding emotion for Nick appeared to be guilt and then jealousy of being out of the close relationship with their son and friends. What! she expected he would keep her close even when he knew she was in love with another man...that's just self centered.
I felt little joy from her at his return, just an 'Oh God, what do I do?'. That beyond anything else made me actively dislike her. The betrayal lay not in loving the OM but in the lack of total joy someone would show at the return from the dead of a loved one, regardless of the subsequent complications. In the book it seeks to suggest shock, maybe so but still it didn't appear to play out like that to me.
The reunion scene of Nicks friend with his wife seem to underline to the h how she'd robbed Nick, yet again it was about guilt. She cared for him but demonstrating a true love for him. So I understood Nicks actions in pushing her away, in fact he was amazing. He did what he did to make things easier for the h. The bitterness he was entitled to feel, didn't come through in his actions. She on the other hand just turned around and went back to the OM, hardly convincing if you're trying to show its not guilt that's motivating you in the first place.
I was disappointed with the ending because I wasn't sold on her decision. Did love drive her actions or petty jealousy of his relationship with his son, potentially other women. I felt she really needed to mend some fences with Nick, and Nick, well he rolled over too easily but then he is a nicer human being than myself.
Since I read this in one sitting, I'm going to put this on the re-read pile and see if it still stirs up the emotions.
August 27, 2012
5 Stars! ~ His stomach was in knots as the plane touched down. It's been almost seven years since he's seen his wife and son. He wondered if they had given up on him, thought he'd died when he went missing in action. And from the kiss Nick gave Rosie he knew. She had given up on him. And at that moment the Nick who had believed with all his heart that his Rosie would be home waiting for him, died. Rosie was in shock. The phone call after seven years announcing her husband was not dead and that his plane was landing in a matter of hours, sent her into a tailspin. Cody, their son, was ecstatic. Rosie was too, but what now. Just a week ago she'd promised to marry Zach, a good man who had patiently waited for her accept his proposal these past two years. Rosie loved Zach but she loved Nick too, he was her husband. Knowing Rosie's heart is torn, Nick does what the only thing he can do; he files for divorce. He doesn't want Rosie staying with him out of pity. He wants her whole heart. The divorce will set them free to love again.
Oh wow. This is one of those powerful stories that keeps you up all night in the reading. My emotions were so heavily engaged, I could not pause for a second. The pain in this book is excruciating. Nick's dying inside as he comes to terms that his wife is no longer in love with him. Rosie is so wracked with guilt and pain for hurting both of the men who love her. Cody's lets loose with all the emotions that they all are feeling, from resentment, to anger, to joy and fear. There were moments where I hated Nick for shutting Rosie out. He thought he was doing what she needed, but it was killing her not to be allowed to be a part of his life. Everyone else seemed to know how he was and what his plans for a future were, except for Rosie. I could feel her anguish. I understood why Nick filed for the divorce, it was just so heart wrenching. And my heart bled for Zach; he truly loved Rosie and losing her was devastating. I'm glad that he to gets his own HEA in another book, Laura's Baby. Bravo to Ms. Winters. This is a lovestory that I shall not soon forget.
Oh wow. This is one of those powerful stories that keeps you up all night in the reading. My emotions were so heavily engaged, I could not pause for a second. The pain in this book is excruciating. Nick's dying inside as he comes to terms that his wife is no longer in love with him. Rosie is so wracked with guilt and pain for hurting both of the men who love her. Cody's lets loose with all the emotions that they all are feeling, from resentment, to anger, to joy and fear. There were moments where I hated Nick for shutting Rosie out. He thought he was doing what she needed, but it was killing her not to be allowed to be a part of his life. Everyone else seemed to know how he was and what his plans for a future were, except for Rosie. I could feel her anguish. I understood why Nick filed for the divorce, it was just so heart wrenching. And my heart bled for Zach; he truly loved Rosie and losing her was devastating. I'm glad that he to gets his own HEA in another book, Laura's Baby. Bravo to Ms. Winters. This is a lovestory that I shall not soon forget.
January 3, 2018
I must have picked this up in a mixed bag as its not something I would tend to come across usually. This was not my usual cup of tea and although I didn't hate it its not really something I would choose again as i felt it was a bit to "preachy" and "churchy" if that makes sense. I read to escape and dream not to listen to sermons and this felt a bit too religious for my liking.
I am totally down with the H although he seems like a good boy who tries to please everyone i can even understand the h's dilemma although she did seem to dither around a bit when deciding which man won her heart. However I have to say the secondary characters needed skilleting the son seemed to be an obnoxious brat and as for the mother in law OH EM GEE!!! I feel like if this was the real world forgiveness would not have been quite as forthcoming form either party hence my thoughts that the book was rather religious.
Of course you do have to feel a bit for the OM he was not evil in anyway just clearly a bit beta. However I believe he has his own romance later down the line.
I wish i could be nicer about it but it was all a bit too sickly sweet for me.
I am totally down with the H although he seems like a good boy who tries to please everyone i can even understand the h's dilemma although she did seem to dither around a bit when deciding which man won her heart. However I have to say the secondary characters needed skilleting the son seemed to be an obnoxious brat and as for the mother in law OH EM GEE!!! I feel like if this was the real world forgiveness would not have been quite as forthcoming form either party hence my thoughts that the book was rather religious.
Of course you do have to feel a bit for the OM he was not evil in anyway just clearly a bit beta. However I believe he has his own romance later down the line.
I wish i could be nicer about it but it was all a bit too sickly sweet for me.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 31, 2011
3 Star Contemporary Romance
This is a story that guarantees to play havoc on your emotions with the love triangle that emerges once Rosie's husband who has been presumed dead for the past six and a half years suddenly return - just when Rosie had decided to move on with her life and gets engaged to the wonderful Zachary Wilde.
Full review is up on my blog: http://bit.ly/b4iQwb
This is a story that guarantees to play havoc on your emotions with the love triangle that emerges once Rosie's husband who has been presumed dead for the past six and a half years suddenly return - just when Rosie had decided to move on with her life and gets engaged to the wonderful Zachary Wilde.
Full review is up on my blog: http://bit.ly/b4iQwb
August 9, 2026
What a disappointment; the author turned what could have been a good, meaningful story int a bad soap opera! There was too much back and forth between characters and what they were thinking (thought overload), and that wasted time instead of giving perspective. (not to mention it was just plain BORING!!!)
I got sick of the h waffling back and forth between the H and the OM, and until she was sure she should have kept her distance from both of them, and not played games, however unintentional. (Or were they?) She was pretty crummy to the OM, leading him on, kissing him, cuddling with him, declaring she's ready to get naked with him, when meanwhile she's thinking about the H, who's in martyr mode, saying he wants a divorce when he really doesn't, and going ahead with proceedings. For a guy who survived being a POW all those years, there should have been more fight in him to save his marriage, instead of that dull Mr. Do Gooder routine!
And first she spends the night cuddling with the H, then does the same with the OM, technically not cheating but damned close! I'm curious to read the reviews, as so many readers go ballistic if the H does any kind of cheating, let's find out if there's the old double standard going on!
And it bugged me that both the H and OM act like faithful dogs while she plays around with both, using her confused emotions as an excuse.
Also, the h seems inclined to make too much about herself and what she's been through, which hardly compares to being a POW! While he was going through harrowing experiences, not knowing how long he'd be alive, she was having fun on a cruise with another guy! Somehow, it's tough tom feel much sympathy.
There was also too much wasted time on silly things, like talk about the way distant past, when the present was what should have been focused on. In this case, "Remember how when we were in high school?", etc. is a way of avoiding what's going on, not of reminiscing and reconnecting.
And while I really liked their son, there was also too much focus on hm which took away from the H and h and also dragged the story out. This whole book could have been about 100 pages less with no problem.
Give me R.T. and Cynthia were over Nick and Sylvie any day! They had their troubles but reconnected right away and (unlike Sylvie) Cynthia never gave up on her man, and they were only married a year!
For that reason alone, this became a DNF for me, because I got the feeling the h would have been happily content to have two husbands, spend Monday, Wednesday and Friday night in bed with one, Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday night with the other, and Sunday a menage a trois!
I got sick of the h waffling back and forth between the H and the OM, and until she was sure she should have kept her distance from both of them, and not played games, however unintentional. (Or were they?) She was pretty crummy to the OM, leading him on, kissing him, cuddling with him, declaring she's ready to get naked with him, when meanwhile she's thinking about the H, who's in martyr mode, saying he wants a divorce when he really doesn't, and going ahead with proceedings. For a guy who survived being a POW all those years, there should have been more fight in him to save his marriage, instead of that dull Mr. Do Gooder routine!
And first she spends the night cuddling with the H, then does the same with the OM, technically not cheating but damned close! I'm curious to read the reviews, as so many readers go ballistic if the H does any kind of cheating, let's find out if there's the old double standard going on!
And it bugged me that both the H and OM act like faithful dogs while she plays around with both, using her confused emotions as an excuse.
Also, the h seems inclined to make too much about herself and what she's been through, which hardly compares to being a POW! While he was going through harrowing experiences, not knowing how long he'd be alive, she was having fun on a cruise with another guy! Somehow, it's tough tom feel much sympathy.
There was also too much wasted time on silly things, like talk about the way distant past, when the present was what should have been focused on. In this case, "Remember how when we were in high school?", etc. is a way of avoiding what's going on, not of reminiscing and reconnecting.
And while I really liked their son, there was also too much focus on hm which took away from the H and h and also dragged the story out. This whole book could have been about 100 pages less with no problem.
Give me R.T. and Cynthia were over Nick and Sylvie any day! They had their troubles but reconnected right away and (unlike Sylvie) Cynthia never gave up on her man, and they were only married a year!
For that reason alone, this became a DNF for me, because I got the feeling the h would have been happily content to have two husbands, spend Monday, Wednesday and Friday night in bed with one, Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday night with the other, and Sunday a menage a trois!
January 22, 2021
Having retired from the Army, I could relate to this story on many levels. Had I sustained such an injury during such a long separation, it would have been demoralizing to have my husband feel a need to continue our marriage out of only a sense of responsibility or pity. Had the H had an honest discussion with the h about his feelings, IMHO perhaps their fears and insecurities would have been resolved earlier. I did find it interesting that the same emotions which were evident in the H's feelings towards her husband were also evident in her need to continue with the engagement (a sense of responsibility).
Both the H and Zach were exceptional individuals. Cody was refreshing. The h was conflicted on soooo many levels. I was so impressed that Zach recognized that he would never have her total commitment. To have been loved by 2 such men makes her impressive. Fortunately, all achieved their HEA, but what a ride.
Both the H and Zach were exceptional individuals. Cody was refreshing. The h was conflicted on soooo many levels. I was so impressed that Zach recognized that he would never have her total commitment. To have been loved by 2 such men makes her impressive. Fortunately, all achieved their HEA, but what a ride.
September 29, 2020
This story hit home with the plot of hero comes home after being MIA for seven years. During Desert Storm Nick became a POW and was held for seven years. Now he is home and the wife he loves has moved on. Rosie fought with her self about letting the memory of Nick go. He had been declared dead by the Army. She finally accepts the marriage proposal from someone else. But not even 9 hours later she finds out Nick is not only alive but will be home shortly. This story is about their love that really didn't die but evolved into timeless love. They both want the best for the other. Even if that means giving up on their marriage. It is a story that I will read again. It was very emotional to read the first time. Plan on reading it with out the distraction of others around. Very moving.
March 10, 2020
A tear jerker
This book—wow. Guaranteed to take you on a roller coaster ride of emotions as you live the heartache and confusion of a woman who thought her husband had died during the war in Iraq, only to learn 7 years later that he was alive and coming home. Problem was just a few days earlier she had finally said “yes” to marrying a man she had been seeing for 2 years. The book will keep you mesmerized and turning pages as you grow to love the characters and cry over how much they suffer through the changes. But there’s a surprise happy ending that will also bring tears to your eyes. If you’re looking for a REALLY GOOD book, pick this one!!
This book—wow. Guaranteed to take you on a roller coaster ride of emotions as you live the heartache and confusion of a woman who thought her husband had died during the war in Iraq, only to learn 7 years later that he was alive and coming home. Problem was just a few days earlier she had finally said “yes” to marrying a man she had been seeing for 2 years. The book will keep you mesmerized and turning pages as you grow to love the characters and cry over how much they suffer through the changes. But there’s a surprise happy ending that will also bring tears to your eyes. If you’re looking for a REALLY GOOD book, pick this one!!
February 28, 2020
The final chapter does tie the loose ends up quite a bit. The h gets engaged to Zach, her MIA husband is back all in the space of a day. The same night on learning about Zach, her husband offers a divorce. She goes back to Zach. Zach gives her time to make a choice, she goes to her husband. Her husband files for a divorce, she goes back to Zach. Zach gives an ultimatum, she chooses her husband and surprises him with a wedding. There is her son, her in laws, her husband's friend whom he had saved, his wife, Zach's brother who all are really interesting secondary characters.
December 15, 2020
Best book ever!
I have read this book over and over! It is the perfect reunited love story. Definitely a keeper! Give this one a try.
I have read this book over and over! It is the perfect reunited love story. Definitely a keeper! Give this one a try.
January 29, 2015
Oh my god, I cried A LOT while reading this book.
Although one realizes pretty soon in which direction the story headed and which man will get his HEA in the end, its a really heartwrenching read until you get there. I just felt so sad for the other man because he was so great and he really loved Rosie and I hurt for him but nevertheless everything felt RIGHT in the end.
For some reason the end was written almost too cheesy for me. I can't really explain it and some might love this kind of ending after such an heartwrenching story but for me it didn't quite fit in with the style of the rest of the book so therefore I give only 4 stars.
Although one realizes pretty soon in which direction the story headed and which man will get his HEA in the end, its a really heartwrenching read until you get there. I just felt so sad for the other man because he was so great and he really loved Rosie and I hurt for him but nevertheless everything felt RIGHT in the end.
For some reason the end was written almost too cheesy for me. I can't really explain it and some might love this kind of ending after such an heartwrenching story but for me it didn't quite fit in with the style of the rest of the book so therefore I give only 4 stars.
April 21, 2015
Lots of good information about our wounded warriors
Good reading,wow could believe so much the storyline was very believable.Enjoyed from beginning to end.It does help to understand some of what the wounded men and women have to face returning home.Not the horrible details in full,but their struggle to be home and get well as possible. God bless our soldiers one and all.Thank you!!!!
Good reading,wow could believe so much the storyline was very believable.Enjoyed from beginning to end.It does help to understand some of what the wounded men and women have to face returning home.Not the horrible details in full,but their struggle to be home and get well as possible. God bless our soldiers one and all.Thank you!!!!
August 17, 2012
Ditto what Maldivianbookreviewer said.
I wasn't sure how the love triangle would turn out; as a reader, it was very hard, because both guys were so GREAT I couldn't decide which should "get the girl." Keep tissues handy: this book made me cry.
I wasn't sure how the love triangle would turn out; as a reader, it was very hard, because both guys were so GREAT I couldn't decide which should "get the girl." Keep tissues handy: this book made me cry.
December 7, 2016
Star Rating: ★★½☆☆
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December 23, 2014Miniseries: Men In Uniform
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