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Savage Atonement
She wanted to punish him--not love him!
When she was fifteen Laurel had been the victim of an attempted rape, and Oliver Savage was the reporter who had twisted her story, tearing her reputation to shreds and leaving her fearful of every man who came too near.
Now, six years later, he was anxious to right his wrong. "I want to help you, Laurel", he'd offered. But Laurel didn't want his help--she wanted retribution
She found it was not that simple He was a stimulating man, and his every caress weakened her desire for revenge....
When she was fifteen Laurel had been the victim of an attempted rape, and Oliver Savage was the reporter who had twisted her story, tearing her reputation to shreds and leaving her fearful of every man who came too near.
Now, six years later, he was anxious to right his wrong. "I want to help you, Laurel", he'd offered. But Laurel didn't want his help--she wanted retribution
She found it was not that simple He was a stimulating man, and his every caress weakened her desire for revenge....
190 pages, Paperback
Published December 1, 1983
30 people are currently reading
162 people want to read
About the author
Penny Jordan
1,126 books667 followersPenelope Jones Halsall
aka Caroline Courtney, Annie Groves, Lydia Hitchcock, Melinda Wright
Penelope "Penny" Jones was born on November 24, 1946 at about seven pounds in a nursing home in Preston, Lancashire, England. She was the first child of Anthony Winn Jones, an engineer, who died at 85, and his wife Margaret Louise Groves Jones. She has a brother, Anthony, and a sister, Prudence "Pru".
She had been a keen reader from the childhood - her mother used to leave her in the children's section of their local library whilst she changed her father's library books. She was a storyteller long before she began to write romantic fiction. At the age of eight, she was creating serialized bedtime stories, featuring make-believe adventures, for her younger sister Prue, who was always the heroine. At eleven, she fell in love with Mills & Boon, and with their heroes. In those days the books could only be obtained via private lending libraries, and she quickly became a devoted fan; she was thrilled to bits when the books went on full sale in shops and she could have them for keeps.
Penny left grammar school in Rochdale with O-Levels in English Language, English Literature and Geography. She first discovered Mills & Boon books, via a girl she worked with. She married Steve Halsall, an accountant and a "lovely man", who smoked and drank too heavily, and suffered oral cancer with bravery and dignity. Her husband bought her the small electric typewriter on which she typed her first novels, at a time when he could ill afford it. He died at the beginning of 21st century.
She earned a living as a writer since the 1970s when, as a shorthand typist, she entered a competition run by the Romantic Novelists' Association. Although she didn't win, Penny found an agent who was looking for a new Georgette Heyer. She published four regency novels as Caroline Courtney, before changing her nom de plume to Melinda Wright for three air-hostess romps and then she wrote two thrillers as Lydia Hitchcock. Soon after that, Mills and Boon accepted her first novel for them, Falcon's Prey as Penny Jordan. However, for her more historical romance novels, she adopted her mother's maiden-name to become Annie Groves. Almost 70 of her 167 Mills and Boon novels have been sold worldwide.
Penny Halsall lived in a neo-Georgian house in Nantwich, Cheshire, with her Alsatian Sheba and cat Posh. She worked from home, in her kitchen, surrounded by her pets, and welcomed interruptions from her friends and family.
aka Caroline Courtney, Annie Groves, Lydia Hitchcock, Melinda Wright
Penelope "Penny" Jones was born on November 24, 1946 at about seven pounds in a nursing home in Preston, Lancashire, England. She was the first child of Anthony Winn Jones, an engineer, who died at 85, and his wife Margaret Louise Groves Jones. She has a brother, Anthony, and a sister, Prudence "Pru".
She had been a keen reader from the childhood - her mother used to leave her in the children's section of their local library whilst she changed her father's library books. She was a storyteller long before she began to write romantic fiction. At the age of eight, she was creating serialized bedtime stories, featuring make-believe adventures, for her younger sister Prue, who was always the heroine. At eleven, she fell in love with Mills & Boon, and with their heroes. In those days the books could only be obtained via private lending libraries, and she quickly became a devoted fan; she was thrilled to bits when the books went on full sale in shops and she could have them for keeps.
Penny left grammar school in Rochdale with O-Levels in English Language, English Literature and Geography. She first discovered Mills & Boon books, via a girl she worked with. She married Steve Halsall, an accountant and a "lovely man", who smoked and drank too heavily, and suffered oral cancer with bravery and dignity. Her husband bought her the small electric typewriter on which she typed her first novels, at a time when he could ill afford it. He died at the beginning of 21st century.
She earned a living as a writer since the 1970s when, as a shorthand typist, she entered a competition run by the Romantic Novelists' Association. Although she didn't win, Penny found an agent who was looking for a new Georgette Heyer. She published four regency novels as Caroline Courtney, before changing her nom de plume to Melinda Wright for three air-hostess romps and then she wrote two thrillers as Lydia Hitchcock. Soon after that, Mills and Boon accepted her first novel for them, Falcon's Prey as Penny Jordan. However, for her more historical romance novels, she adopted her mother's maiden-name to become Annie Groves. Almost 70 of her 167 Mills and Boon novels have been sold worldwide.
Penny Halsall lived in a neo-Georgian house in Nantwich, Cheshire, with her Alsatian Sheba and cat Posh. She worked from home, in her kitchen, surrounded by her pets, and welcomed interruptions from her friends and family.
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July 6, 2019No rating since this is so dated and our views about sexual abuse having finally caught up with reality - thank goodness.
I don't see how this hero can be forgiven what he did to the heroine. Or why any man would be compelled to write a story about a girl being abused by her stepfather and blaming it on the girl. Who does that?
Since I reject the premise that the hero had a reason to write the story, I just reject the whole thing. It's a good angst-fest, though. If you can get over a she-must-have-been-at-fault apologist you'll probably like this story.
I don't see how this hero can be forgiven what he did to the heroine. Or why any man would be compelled to write a story about a girl being abused by her stepfather and blaming it on the girl. Who does that?
Since I reject the premise that the hero had a reason to write the story, I just reject the whole thing. It's a good angst-fest, though. If you can get over a she-must-have-been-at-fault apologist you'll probably like this story.
July 23, 2019
Wow.. This book should come with a label "READER BEWARE". I don't know what to say about it. There were moments that were absolutely gripping, and then there were moments that I wanted to throw it against the wall.
Laurel was a young girl almost raped by her drunken step-father. Fortunately, social services rescues her and removes her from a home where her own mother, ridden with guilt, decides to conveniently place the blame on her daughter rather than protect her daughter. It's so much easier to hide in bed all day, feigning illness, while your lecherous husband puts the moves on your 15 yr old daughter. The case goes to trial and stepdad is convicted and daughter is removed to a foster home. One day, on the way to visiting her mother, she unexpectedly meets a kind gentlemen (hero) and feels drawn to him. She unloads all her fears and unhappy thoughts thinking he is a kind compassionate soul and will keep her secrets well guarded. (NOT)
Surprisingly the man is a journalistic reporter and decides to trash her publicly insinuating that stepdad was mistakenly convicted because she purposely tried to entice him. (At that point, I wanted to throw the book at the wall) ....Did anyone ever explain to this jerk, it didn't matter if she paraded naked and jumped all over him. Having sex with a 15 year old is still statutory rape. Period, end of discussion! Anyhow, she doesn't survive the turmoil that the article causes, and years later she is still a broken woman.
Five years later, they meet by chance, and the hero finally feels remorse for what he did. Seems afterwards, he realized his mistake. So he now feels responsible to help her come out of her shell and start living again...aka the title Savage Atonement. She, on the other hand, thinks this is a great opportunity to get close to him and try to find some deep dark secret to expose him with. In the intervening years, he has dropped journalism and has become a successful writer.
They go off to the South of France where she works as his secretary while he writes his next book. Of course, chemistry abounds and they can't seem to take their hands off each other. The rest of the book is about their attraction and her recovery.
I never felt that the hero suffered enough for his past mistakes. The heroine fell too easily in love with a man that had betrayed her in the worst possible way. I know this is years before the "Me Too" movement, but even back then this would have been viewed as unacceptable. The author really botched this one.
Laurel was a young girl almost raped by her drunken step-father. Fortunately, social services rescues her and removes her from a home where her own mother, ridden with guilt, decides to conveniently place the blame on her daughter rather than protect her daughter. It's so much easier to hide in bed all day, feigning illness, while your lecherous husband puts the moves on your 15 yr old daughter. The case goes to trial and stepdad is convicted and daughter is removed to a foster home. One day, on the way to visiting her mother, she unexpectedly meets a kind gentlemen (hero) and feels drawn to him. She unloads all her fears and unhappy thoughts thinking he is a kind compassionate soul and will keep her secrets well guarded. (NOT)
Surprisingly the man is a journalistic reporter and decides to trash her publicly insinuating that stepdad was mistakenly convicted because she purposely tried to entice him. (At that point, I wanted to throw the book at the wall) ....Did anyone ever explain to this jerk, it didn't matter if she paraded naked and jumped all over him. Having sex with a 15 year old is still statutory rape. Period, end of discussion! Anyhow, she doesn't survive the turmoil that the article causes, and years later she is still a broken woman.
Five years later, they meet by chance, and the hero finally feels remorse for what he did. Seems afterwards, he realized his mistake. So he now feels responsible to help her come out of her shell and start living again...aka the title Savage Atonement. She, on the other hand, thinks this is a great opportunity to get close to him and try to find some deep dark secret to expose him with. In the intervening years, he has dropped journalism and has become a successful writer.
They go off to the South of France where she works as his secretary while he writes his next book. Of course, chemistry abounds and they can't seem to take their hands off each other. The rest of the book is about their attraction and her recovery.
I never felt that the hero suffered enough for his past mistakes. The heroine fell too easily in love with a man that had betrayed her in the worst possible way. I know this is years before the "Me Too" movement, but even back then this would have been viewed as unacceptable. The author really botched this one.
August 10, 2021
I’m ashamed that a woman writer could have written a book like that.
The first part was perfect, I wanted to give 5 stars.
The heroine’s mother married a nasty man who began making passes on the 12 yo heroine as soon as they’re married.
He is an abusive man and the heroine is scared to death by him because he tries to paw her and makes sexual innuendos. At school her teacher recognizes the sign of a possible abuse and tries to help her but she’s so scared that denies.
One day her sf tries to rape her when she’s in the shower and only her mother’s appearance saves her from that terrible abuse.
Her teacher sees the signs and the marks on her body and calls the police and the social worker.
They decide to prosecute her sf.
This first part was angsty and gut-wrenching, really.
Despite the evidence, Her sf has a lawyer who is very sly and the young heroine is confused and thinks she encouraged his behavior.
Enter the hero.
He’s a journalist and he thinks she lied and encouraged her sf and, after seeing her out of her mother’s house and talking to her for some time, writes an insulting article where he basically tells that she was asking to be raped with her behavior.
Five years later the heroine still suffers from PTSD and is scared of all men, trying to disguise herself dressing like a grandma.
The zero accidentally meets her where she works and is determined to speak with her.
He apologizes for his article, saying that he was biased by a girl who was dating his cousin and lied telling he tried to rape her to force him to marry her. His cousin went to jail and committed suicide.
He says that soon after meeting the heroine he met her sf who confessed his abuses on the h.
He asks what can he do to make amends for his behavior.
The heroine asks him to work for him so he can have good references for her future jobs. Instead she plans to find out some dirty secret to use to ruin his career and so eventually she will have her revenge on him.
Up to this moment it was perfect and I was thrilled.
I thought, yes, revenge! She will make him pay!
Then the book went straight into the toilet with a very loud flush.
Goodbye!
Because the ridiculous begins.
The hero wants to make her forget her trauma helping her being a woman, that in his sick mind it means helping her to discover the joys of sex, and dressing her up like a doll, in skimpy bikinis and clingy dresses.
Very astute.
And she forgets almost at once her plans for revenge and falls in love with the bastard.
What?
What?
I feel cheated.
And insulted.
Because this is bull***t.
Actually I can’t believe that even if the book was written some years ago, a woman can write that a teenager is asking for rape.
This is a method used by criminal to remove their responsibility in crimes.
The abuser blames the victim for his abuse, declaring she asked for it.
Never a teenager is responsible for an abuse, for a rape. Even if she goes around naked no adult man is allowed to rape her. Teenagers have reasons for their reckless behavior and adults should protect them and understand them.
This is abomination.
And the zero was a sick creep who had a hard-on for a 14 years old girl traumatized and abused and did the same that is, blamed her for his pervert sick desire.
He was unforgivable and the plans to help the heroine enjoy sex was ridiculous.
The heroine falling in love with him was definitely wrong. So wrong.
At least she should have had her revenge, but her plan lasted less than 5 minute.
Sorry but this was a disappointment, greater because the beginning was very promising.
The first part was perfect, I wanted to give 5 stars.
The heroine’s mother married a nasty man who began making passes on the 12 yo heroine as soon as they’re married.
He is an abusive man and the heroine is scared to death by him because he tries to paw her and makes sexual innuendos. At school her teacher recognizes the sign of a possible abuse and tries to help her but she’s so scared that denies.
One day her sf tries to rape her when she’s in the shower and only her mother’s appearance saves her from that terrible abuse.
Her teacher sees the signs and the marks on her body and calls the police and the social worker.
They decide to prosecute her sf.
This first part was angsty and gut-wrenching, really.
Despite the evidence, Her sf has a lawyer who is very sly and the young heroine is confused and thinks she encouraged his behavior.
Enter the hero.
He’s a journalist and he thinks she lied and encouraged her sf and, after seeing her out of her mother’s house and talking to her for some time, writes an insulting article where he basically tells that she was asking to be raped with her behavior.
Five years later the heroine still suffers from PTSD and is scared of all men, trying to disguise herself dressing like a grandma.
The zero accidentally meets her where she works and is determined to speak with her.
He apologizes for his article, saying that he was biased by a girl who was dating his cousin and lied telling he tried to rape her to force him to marry her. His cousin went to jail and committed suicide.
He says that soon after meeting the heroine he met her sf who confessed his abuses on the h.
He asks what can he do to make amends for his behavior.
The heroine asks him to work for him so he can have good references for her future jobs. Instead she plans to find out some dirty secret to use to ruin his career and so eventually she will have her revenge on him.
Up to this moment it was perfect and I was thrilled.
I thought, yes, revenge! She will make him pay!
Then the book went straight into the toilet with a very loud flush.
Goodbye!
Because the ridiculous begins.
The hero wants to make her forget her trauma helping her being a woman, that in his sick mind it means helping her to discover the joys of sex, and dressing her up like a doll, in skimpy bikinis and clingy dresses.
Very astute.
And she forgets almost at once her plans for revenge and falls in love with the bastard.
What?
What?
I feel cheated.
And insulted.
Because this is bull***t.
Actually I can’t believe that even if the book was written some years ago, a woman can write that a teenager is asking for rape.
This is a method used by criminal to remove their responsibility in crimes.
The abuser blames the victim for his abuse, declaring she asked for it.
Never a teenager is responsible for an abuse, for a rape. Even if she goes around naked no adult man is allowed to rape her. Teenagers have reasons for their reckless behavior and adults should protect them and understand them.
This is abomination.
And the zero was a sick creep who had a hard-on for a 14 years old girl traumatized and abused and did the same that is, blamed her for his pervert sick desire.
He was unforgivable and the plans to help the heroine enjoy sex was ridiculous.
The heroine falling in love with him was definitely wrong. So wrong.
At least she should have had her revenge, but her plan lasted less than 5 minute.
Sorry but this was a disappointment, greater because the beginning was very promising.
October 19, 2021
"Savage Atonement" is the story of Laurel and Oliver.
TW: book deals with sexual assault and PTSD.
Our heroine is a cold, efficient secretary, with a tragic past. She has tried her best to move on, until the man who had a major hand in her downfall due to his twisted and sensational reporting re-enters her life. She tries to avoid him, but he is hell bent on making her face her past. How? By verbally taunting her and trying to make her a woman, reminding her of her past. He does feel bad later, but it is so petty, I wanted to smack the hero. The heroine also gets an inane scheme of getting revenge, which backfires sensationally. It has a lot of angsty moments, but the heroine forgives too easily, the hero is very blind, and the story does address her pain but doesnt do much to help her. If it wasnt for the apology in the last chapter, this would be a 2 star.
MEH.
SWE
3/5
TW: book deals with sexual assault and PTSD.
Our heroine is a cold, efficient secretary, with a tragic past. She has tried her best to move on, until the man who had a major hand in her downfall due to his twisted and sensational reporting re-enters her life. She tries to avoid him, but he is hell bent on making her face her past. How? By verbally taunting her and trying to make her a woman, reminding her of her past. He does feel bad later, but it is so petty, I wanted to smack the hero. The heroine also gets an inane scheme of getting revenge, which backfires sensationally. It has a lot of angsty moments, but the heroine forgives too easily, the hero is very blind, and the story does address her pain but doesnt do much to help her. If it wasnt for the apology in the last chapter, this would be a 2 star.
MEH.
SWE
3/5
July 8, 2019
2.5 stars
I felt more emphasis was placed on Laurel's emotional healing than the romance. I appreciated the necessity of Oliver and Laurel's relationship having to develop slowly considering Laurel's fragile condition, but it just didn't make for the most exciting or romantic read even though the angst and storyline still held my interest.
I sympathized with Laurel, and really liked how she gained more confidence before finding her happy ending with Oliver. I thought it increased their chances of having a lasting relationship.
For his part Oliver had good intentions to atone for his past mistake, but I felt he failed miserably in the execution. He turned hot and cold with Laurel so often that his "technique" could be compared with a tennis ball being lobbied back and forth: sometimes gentle, but more often delivered with impatience and anger. I must also mention Oliver's atrocious views on rape laws. I don't agree, but after learning more about his background it's not surprising he'd gained such a warped opinion.
I felt more emphasis was placed on Laurel's emotional healing than the romance. I appreciated the necessity of Oliver and Laurel's relationship having to develop slowly considering Laurel's fragile condition, but it just didn't make for the most exciting or romantic read even though the angst and storyline still held my interest.
I sympathized with Laurel, and really liked how she gained more confidence before finding her happy ending with Oliver. I thought it increased their chances of having a lasting relationship.
For his part Oliver had good intentions to atone for his past mistake, but I felt he failed miserably in the execution. He turned hot and cold with Laurel so often that his "technique" could be compared with a tennis ball being lobbied back and forth: sometimes gentle, but more often delivered with impatience and anger. I must also mention Oliver's atrocious views on rape laws. I don't agree, but after learning more about his background it's not surprising he'd gained such a warped opinion.
November 25, 2018
Interesting book a third re-read for me; it dealt with a sensitive and traumatic subject for the h and the H's subsequent actions.
The 2 events were connected and H's actions made young h's life much more harder. I understood the way she reacted by shutting down and I liked that he looked for her to make amends.
I just felt his 'shock' therapy way of helping her could have been better
The 2 events were connected and H's actions made young h's life much more harder. I understood the way she reacted by shutting down and I liked that he looked for her to make amends.
I just felt his 'shock' therapy way of helping her could have been better
January 2, 2013
I liked this one, but you really have to be able to overlook some terrible things about the hero. For instance, at the beginning we learn that the hero is "renowned for his dislike of the present rape laws; claims that in ninety cases out of a hundred the men have been led on and aren't totally to blame." Wow, of all the things to be "renowned" for, it has to be being against rape laws? And anyway, the stepfather attacked the heroine when she was just 15 (and he was her stepfather) -- who even cares if she had been flirting with him? And then there's some more standard old-school HP stuff, like the hero telling the heroine, "hasn't anyone ever told you that saying that to a man is the biggest come-on there is?" Gee, if saying no is a come-on, then I guess he's right that in 90 out of a 100 cases of rape the men have been led on.
Anyway, fairly typical Jordan HP, and I did basically like the relationship parts. But I did have to ignore a hero with particularly terrible opinions about women and rape.
Anyway, fairly typical Jordan HP, and I did basically like the relationship parts. But I did have to ignore a hero with particularly terrible opinions about women and rape.
July 22, 2015
Touching love story, loving characters.
March 6, 2012
4 1/2 Stars! ~ This is an intensely emotional story of a young woman deeply repressed from a horrible attack when she was a teenager. It's been six years since the attack, and Laurel meets again the journalist that tore her character apart in the press, claiming she provoked her attack. Shortly after writing the article that completed Laurel's destruction, Oliver learned that she had been telling the truth, and for the past six years he's been searching for her to make atonement. He's shocked to find her a shell of a person and vows to make a true woman of her. Ms. Jordan deals very well with is difficult subject, and breathes emotion into her character with great skill. Though emotionally intense, this lovestory has a sweet HEA.
June 9, 2021
She wanted to punish him--not love him!
When she was fifteen Laurel had been the victim of an attempted rape, and Oliver Savage was the reporter who had twisted her story, tearing her reputation to shreds and leaving her fearful of every man who came too near.
Now, six years later, he was anxious to right his wrong. "I want to help you, Laurel", he'd offered. But Laurel didn't want his help--she wanted retribution
She found it was not that simple He was a stimulating man, and his every caress weakened her desire for revenge..
When she was fifteen Laurel had been the victim of an attempted rape, and Oliver Savage was the reporter who had twisted her story, tearing her reputation to shreds and leaving her fearful of every man who came too near.
Now, six years later, he was anxious to right his wrong. "I want to help you, Laurel", he'd offered. But Laurel didn't want his help--she wanted retribution
She found it was not that simple He was a stimulating man, and his every caress weakened her desire for revenge..
to-avoid
January 29, 2016Heroine was almost raped/attacked by his stepfather :'(
May 4, 2017
***TRIGGER WARNING ***
This is a hard one to rate, a hard one to digest. I'd say stay away if you are sensitive in any way to sexual assault, discussion of sexual assault, and the aftermath of said assault. There are on-page references to the assault and the heroine repeatedly relives that assault and its aftermath. Again, stay away from this book if you are sensitive to those things.
*** TRIGGER WARNING ***
I don't know what to think about this one. It's certainly gonna linger in the old brain for awhile, I think.
It both was and wasn't what I was expecting. I expected a wracked with guilt hero (check), a traumatized and repressed heroine (check), and a magical penis that heals sexual trauma (not as such).
I didn't expect for the heroine to work through a lot of her problems while away from the hero (I liked that bit), I didn't expect to feel very connected to the heroine (I did), and while the hero totally grossed me out in the first 1/3 of the book, he grew on me eventually (not so much that I was rooting for him, more like I found him less repulsive in his motives - tho the hints at attraction to the heroine when she was 15 still stays firmly in the "that's fucking gross!" category).
I thought the heroine fell in love too quickly. Her continued issues due to trauma took longer to face, which I thought was pretty appropriate. I liked that the hero didn't "fix" her but made her more aware of herself so she could work on her problems once they were separated. I'm glad she was doing much better by the end of the book, but still think she would have done better to get proper therapy as opposed to getting a tan in Italy. But self-care is healthcare so I'm sure the tan helped somehow.
One thing that bothered me is that although this centers around the heroine and her past assault and how it effects her in her adult life - it seems like specific emphasis was put onto how that effected the hero. I'm not saying that he can't be effected by it at all, just that it was odd to see his pain and guilt put above her pain when things were talked about with the hero's sister and later when things were finally resolved with the hero. It felt as if some of her trauma was propping up his quilt as the greater thing. I hope that makes sense.
This is a hard one to rate, a hard one to digest. I'd say stay away if you are sensitive in any way to sexual assault, discussion of sexual assault, and the aftermath of said assault. There are on-page references to the assault and the heroine repeatedly relives that assault and its aftermath. Again, stay away from this book if you are sensitive to those things.
*** TRIGGER WARNING ***
I don't know what to think about this one. It's certainly gonna linger in the old brain for awhile, I think.
It both was and wasn't what I was expecting. I expected a wracked with guilt hero (check), a traumatized and repressed heroine (check), and a magical penis that heals sexual trauma (not as such).
I didn't expect for the heroine to work through a lot of her problems while away from the hero (I liked that bit), I didn't expect to feel very connected to the heroine (I did), and while the hero totally grossed me out in the first 1/3 of the book, he grew on me eventually (not so much that I was rooting for him, more like I found him less repulsive in his motives - tho the hints at attraction to the heroine when she was 15 still stays firmly in the "that's fucking gross!" category).
I thought the heroine fell in love too quickly. Her continued issues due to trauma took longer to face, which I thought was pretty appropriate. I liked that the hero didn't "fix" her but made her more aware of herself so she could work on her problems once they were separated. I'm glad she was doing much better by the end of the book, but still think she would have done better to get proper therapy as opposed to getting a tan in Italy. But self-care is healthcare so I'm sure the tan helped somehow.
One thing that bothered me is that although this centers around the heroine and her past assault and how it effects her in her adult life - it seems like specific emphasis was put onto how that effected the hero. I'm not saying that he can't be effected by it at all, just that it was odd to see his pain and guilt put above her pain when things were talked about with the hero's sister and later when things were finally resolved with the hero. It felt as if some of her trauma was propping up his quilt as the greater thing. I hope that makes sense.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 23, 2023
About the only thing that worked in this one was the title, a clever play on words, as the H (loose term there) was named Oliver Savage. Other than that, it failed on every level.
First off, when it comes to attempted rape with incest overtones, save it for a crime drama novel, not a HP book. I could have done without all the details about stepdaddy pervert, and as far as her mother was concerned, what a weak, spineless, cowardly bitch! She SAW WITH HER OWN EYES what her horrible excuse of a second husband was doing, and she actually blames her daughter!!! She pretty much disowns Laurel! I was glad when she croaked, hope it was a painful passing!!
Then, you have her second betrayal through her mistaken trust in Oliver, and to my way of thinking, he should NOT have been a journalist! They're supposed to be impartial, NOT base one story on another, and if you're too involved on a personal level, then recuse yourself. He wasn't over what happened to his cousin, after an unscrupulous young woman accused him of trying to rape her (and the fact that Oliver used to date he, made it even more clear that his emotions were too involved in everything) and judged Laurel's case based on that. Cases are supposed to be judged impartially, and if you can't do that, you distance yourself! This guy should have had the smarts to realize that!
Oliver makes Laurel believe she could trust him, only so he can write a story that makes her sound like Lolita. while he was writing it, it should have dawned on his dense brain that this wasn't real journalism but scandal sheet stuff!
About the only thing that did make sense was laurel's reaction to men, wanting to keep her distance as much as she could, and dressing plain and dowdy to keep from attracting them. Her work became her whole life.
But all the stupid nonsense later! Oliver showing up at her office, needing a secretary to help with his new book (in another country, even more far-fetched), showing up at Laurel's place and threatening to break down the door (I'd have phoned the police), then attempting to explain and apologize for his stupidity, at the same time psychoanalyzing her, about her appearance, her repressed emotions, her need to come out of her shell, etc. Way too much way too soon, and way too nervy!
The only interesting thing that would have made this a good book is pretty much over before it begins. Laurel had channeled most of her anger, fear and repressed emotional growth from her stepfather to Oliver (she had believed, as a scared, scarred teenager that she could trust him, only to have her back stabbed), and becomes for a time desirous of getting revenge. She accepts the job with him, hoping that she'll be able to uncover something to use against him, and discredit his successful new career as an author. (It dawned on the guy, after a too-little-too-late attempt to retract what he had written, that he was in the wrong line of work.)
This could have made all the difference. Laurel could have found something, misunderstood the details, then attempted to cause trouble, only to find she was as guilty as Oliver had been, and then the story could have progressed in that direction. Unfortunately, Ms. Jordan decided toskip the whole revenge plan and concentrate instead on Laurel having feelings for Oliver that she keeps trying without success - to deny.
Instead, you get wasted time (and dull as well, since I never felt any real chemistry between Laurel and Oliver), with Oliver picking out Laurel's wardrobe, getting her to wear a bikini, telling her to put sunscreen on him (therapy, to get her used to touching a man, making her aware of her hidden sensuality), making her face up to her fears that what her monster stepfather did was somehow her fault, on and on and on, until I felt like yawning! he may have thought he was helping, but the guy's no therapist, and if he was, he's sure be unethical, with all the sexual innuendo going on!
Ther's numerous start-stop-start again-stop again love scenes, that are meant to be erotic but come off as BORING!
I also think it was dumb to bring Oliver's family into the picture, just so his 20-something nephew's horny friend, Chas could be thrown in, too. Right away, you know where this is going; he gets the hots for Laurel who has no interest in him, until Oliver practically forbids her to accept his dinner invitation, then, of course, she accepts, soon realizing dinner is just an excuse for "dessert", and she winds up walking home alone in the dark, after rejecting Chas's advances and he drives off without her. She walks and walks (AND WALKS) back to Oliver's place in the dark, then falls asleep in the road (doesn't get hit by a car, doesn't run into any weirdos, COME ON!!!) and - of course - Oliver finds her, and (once again believing the wrong person) assumes she and Chas had sex. He doesn't listen to Laurel's denials, instead believes Chas's bragging phone call from awhile back! Doesn't seem like Oliver's changed much, does it? He didn't even question why, if they had such a hot time, Chas is off somewhere partying and Laurel's walking alone on the road at night????
Then, there's more of the same incomplete love scenes, as well as more misunderstandings. First, laurel, discovers some notes Oliver wrote, which seem like he's using her as a "study case" for his next book. Then, Oliver discovers Laurel's been reading articles he wrote in the past, and comes across her journal, where she wrote down her plan (pretty stupid, since there was always the chance he'd discover it) and now it's Oliver accusing Laurel, of using him!!! By now, Laurel's acknowledged to herself that she loves him, but is convinced his feelings for her are shallow at best, so she leaves, returns to England, starts working temporarily at different places (getting glam jobs in other countries, how realistic is that????), gets a new apartment, starts making friends, dates a few guys, but only so she can test if her feelings for Oliver were real or fantasy, fails the fantasy test and stops dating, sees Oliver on TV and her heart beats fast, sees him in person, signing his new book, and runs off, gets invited to his sister's place for the holidays (being assured Oliver won't be there), discovers that everyone in the family has plans for the day that'll leave her in the house by herself, except for the dog (surprised she didn't have a date, too), gets a lot of "er...er...well..." answers to simple questions, finds herself alone, and guess who shows up at the door???
The Prime Minister! Laurel has been applying for jobs and there's one open as a foreign diplomat....
Well, that would be more interesting than Oliver showing up, confessing his love for her, and making plans for them to be married ASAP!
And a sap I was to read this drivel!
First off, when it comes to attempted rape with incest overtones, save it for a crime drama novel, not a HP book. I could have done without all the details about stepdaddy pervert, and as far as her mother was concerned, what a weak, spineless, cowardly bitch! She SAW WITH HER OWN EYES what her horrible excuse of a second husband was doing, and she actually blames her daughter!!! She pretty much disowns Laurel! I was glad when she croaked, hope it was a painful passing!!
Then, you have her second betrayal through her mistaken trust in Oliver, and to my way of thinking, he should NOT have been a journalist! They're supposed to be impartial, NOT base one story on another, and if you're too involved on a personal level, then recuse yourself. He wasn't over what happened to his cousin, after an unscrupulous young woman accused him of trying to rape her (and the fact that Oliver used to date he, made it even more clear that his emotions were too involved in everything) and judged Laurel's case based on that. Cases are supposed to be judged impartially, and if you can't do that, you distance yourself! This guy should have had the smarts to realize that!
Oliver makes Laurel believe she could trust him, only so he can write a story that makes her sound like Lolita. while he was writing it, it should have dawned on his dense brain that this wasn't real journalism but scandal sheet stuff!
About the only thing that did make sense was laurel's reaction to men, wanting to keep her distance as much as she could, and dressing plain and dowdy to keep from attracting them. Her work became her whole life.
But all the stupid nonsense later! Oliver showing up at her office, needing a secretary to help with his new book (in another country, even more far-fetched), showing up at Laurel's place and threatening to break down the door (I'd have phoned the police), then attempting to explain and apologize for his stupidity, at the same time psychoanalyzing her, about her appearance, her repressed emotions, her need to come out of her shell, etc. Way too much way too soon, and way too nervy!
The only interesting thing that would have made this a good book is pretty much over before it begins. Laurel had channeled most of her anger, fear and repressed emotional growth from her stepfather to Oliver (she had believed, as a scared, scarred teenager that she could trust him, only to have her back stabbed), and becomes for a time desirous of getting revenge. She accepts the job with him, hoping that she'll be able to uncover something to use against him, and discredit his successful new career as an author. (It dawned on the guy, after a too-little-too-late attempt to retract what he had written, that he was in the wrong line of work.)
This could have made all the difference. Laurel could have found something, misunderstood the details, then attempted to cause trouble, only to find she was as guilty as Oliver had been, and then the story could have progressed in that direction. Unfortunately, Ms. Jordan decided toskip the whole revenge plan and concentrate instead on Laurel having feelings for Oliver that she keeps trying without success - to deny.
Instead, you get wasted time (and dull as well, since I never felt any real chemistry between Laurel and Oliver), with Oliver picking out Laurel's wardrobe, getting her to wear a bikini, telling her to put sunscreen on him (therapy, to get her used to touching a man, making her aware of her hidden sensuality), making her face up to her fears that what her monster stepfather did was somehow her fault, on and on and on, until I felt like yawning! he may have thought he was helping, but the guy's no therapist, and if he was, he's sure be unethical, with all the sexual innuendo going on!
Ther's numerous start-stop-start again-stop again love scenes, that are meant to be erotic but come off as BORING!
I also think it was dumb to bring Oliver's family into the picture, just so his 20-something nephew's horny friend, Chas could be thrown in, too. Right away, you know where this is going; he gets the hots for Laurel who has no interest in him, until Oliver practically forbids her to accept his dinner invitation, then, of course, she accepts, soon realizing dinner is just an excuse for "dessert", and she winds up walking home alone in the dark, after rejecting Chas's advances and he drives off without her. She walks and walks (AND WALKS) back to Oliver's place in the dark, then falls asleep in the road (doesn't get hit by a car, doesn't run into any weirdos, COME ON!!!) and - of course - Oliver finds her, and (once again believing the wrong person) assumes she and Chas had sex. He doesn't listen to Laurel's denials, instead believes Chas's bragging phone call from awhile back! Doesn't seem like Oliver's changed much, does it? He didn't even question why, if they had such a hot time, Chas is off somewhere partying and Laurel's walking alone on the road at night????
Then, there's more of the same incomplete love scenes, as well as more misunderstandings. First, laurel, discovers some notes Oliver wrote, which seem like he's using her as a "study case" for his next book. Then, Oliver discovers Laurel's been reading articles he wrote in the past, and comes across her journal, where she wrote down her plan (pretty stupid, since there was always the chance he'd discover it) and now it's Oliver accusing Laurel, of using him!!! By now, Laurel's acknowledged to herself that she loves him, but is convinced his feelings for her are shallow at best, so she leaves, returns to England, starts working temporarily at different places (getting glam jobs in other countries, how realistic is that????), gets a new apartment, starts making friends, dates a few guys, but only so she can test if her feelings for Oliver were real or fantasy, fails the fantasy test and stops dating, sees Oliver on TV and her heart beats fast, sees him in person, signing his new book, and runs off, gets invited to his sister's place for the holidays (being assured Oliver won't be there), discovers that everyone in the family has plans for the day that'll leave her in the house by herself, except for the dog (surprised she didn't have a date, too), gets a lot of "er...er...well..." answers to simple questions, finds herself alone, and guess who shows up at the door???
The Prime Minister! Laurel has been applying for jobs and there's one open as a foreign diplomat....
Well, that would be more interesting than Oliver showing up, confessing his love for her, and making plans for them to be married ASAP!
And a sap I was to read this drivel!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 17, 2021
Not romantic. Not much going on. Their interaction was like a therapeutic session for her.
The most important in this book, is how it refers to parents (in this case her mother) not supporting their child in case of (attempted) rape or incest. Unfortunately that is all too real: a parent not stepping up to protect or support the child. So many times a child gives some signs that there’s something wrong going on, but parents choose to ignore the signs because they can’t believe it or they can’t deal with it, or for whatever reason.
The most important in this book, is how it refers to parents (in this case her mother) not supporting their child in case of (attempted) rape or incest. Unfortunately that is all too real: a parent not stepping up to protect or support the child. So many times a child gives some signs that there’s something wrong going on, but parents choose to ignore the signs because they can’t believe it or they can’t deal with it, or for whatever reason.
January 24, 2014
If only.
This book could be so much better if Laurel didn't fall too easily in love with Oliver. I liked the way Oliver's guilt eating him for more than five years, he deserves it. But I was hoping the author wrote it with details so I can float away with the story.
I don't enjoy the ending. Need more details and I think Laurel's too meek. Could be so much better.
This book could be so much better if Laurel didn't fall too easily in love with Oliver. I liked the way Oliver's guilt eating him for more than five years, he deserves it. But I was hoping the author wrote it with details so I can float away with the story.
I don't enjoy the ending. Need more details and I think Laurel's too meek. Could be so much better.
November 17, 2021
The GOOD: ***SPOILERS***
Good romance/pacing/S chemistry/emotionality/characters/character development. For a 1983-published book, good-enough handling of h's psychological issues from her creepy stepDad's sexual molestation of her (from when her mom married him when she was 13yo to his rape attempt of her @ age 15) with her concerned school-authorities stepping in to report the bruises they saw on her/taking her out of her home to foster home & later a convent/getting her psychological treatment & criminal charges for her stepfather that put them in a public courtroom trial. Liked that the main romance centered on how now-33yo H was helping now-21yo virgin h through her trauma (i.e., fear of men, fear of being touched, intermingled nightmares of her stepdad & H), when he accidentally found her again after 6 years of searching for her & she's now working as his secretary for his new book.
Angsty from the pain & anguish she'd see in H's face now & then and his genuine apologies for his part in increasing her trauma 6 years ago (due to his not believing her side of the story [due to a beloved cousin who recently committed suicide after an ex-GF falsely accused him of raping her] & portraying h in his published newspaper report as the seductress who tempted her stepdad to sexually molest her per her stepdad's report until H saw her stepdad again months later when he drunkenly admitted to lying to him & the court about her part & that he in fact molested h without her consent). Also angsty from h's experience of her mom not believing her & believing her stepdad instead even when she walked in on him almost-raping her in the bathroom floor with h naked from her shower & struggling against her clothed stepdad. And from 27yo investigative-reporter H betraying her trust as a 15yo teen, when she thought he was being a sympathetic stranger who kindly gave her a ride back to her foster home & who listened to her story with patience. Yet to turn it around by writing his damning article about how she was like a Lolita temptress-of-men who easily took rides with strange men & enraptured them with her presence.
Liked how h tried to get some power back with her controlled & ordered prim & proper life as an accountant secretary & to pretend to want to be H's typist so she can get revenge on him by getting some private info about him to destroy his successful writing career. Liked that h left H after she realized she loved him & thinking he only wanted to experiment with her to use her personal info for his new book and moved on by taking temporary jobs abroad for the next 6+ months.
Loved how H obsessed about h since he 1st met her when he was 27 & her 15. And even more so, when he realized how much he wronged her with the article he published after meeting her then & that he actively searched for her (i.e., placed ads out looking for her) the next 6 years and again during the 6+ months apart when she left him. Good sexual chemistry and some sexual foreplay. No sex scenes but hinted at that they were about to smex at the very end while already planning to get married ASAP.
MEH or the BAD:
He tried to atone for the wrongs he'd done towards h but didn't care for the guilt-trip he'd sometimes lay on her due to his sexual frustration. Or when he'd be overcome with passion and kiss and touch her, when she still wasn't psychologically ready. Until he'd get a rough reality-check when she would freak out in a PTSD-way when he'd get too physically close. Then, he'd feel guilty and be gentle & patient with her again.
Sexual History:
h didn't date anyone due to her sexual trauma at 15 until she left H. During the 6+ months after she left H, she went out on dates with several men & even kissed some of them to see if what she felt for H physically & emotionally was real or just a product of her healing. No significant relationship came out of it. H was celibate after h since he was in love with her & was intent on finding her again and finishing writing his autobiographical book based on his experience with h.
Good romance/pacing/S chemistry/emotionality/characters/character development. For a 1983-published book, good-enough handling of h's psychological issues from her creepy stepDad's sexual molestation of her (from when her mom married him when she was 13yo to his rape attempt of her @ age 15) with her concerned school-authorities stepping in to report the bruises they saw on her/taking her out of her home to foster home & later a convent/getting her psychological treatment & criminal charges for her stepfather that put them in a public courtroom trial. Liked that the main romance centered on how now-33yo H was helping now-21yo virgin h through her trauma (i.e., fear of men, fear of being touched, intermingled nightmares of her stepdad & H), when he accidentally found her again after 6 years of searching for her & she's now working as his secretary for his new book.
Angsty from the pain & anguish she'd see in H's face now & then and his genuine apologies for his part in increasing her trauma 6 years ago (due to his not believing her side of the story [due to a beloved cousin who recently committed suicide after an ex-GF falsely accused him of raping her] & portraying h in his published newspaper report as the seductress who tempted her stepdad to sexually molest her per her stepdad's report until H saw her stepdad again months later when he drunkenly admitted to lying to him & the court about her part & that he in fact molested h without her consent). Also angsty from h's experience of her mom not believing her & believing her stepdad instead even when she walked in on him almost-raping her in the bathroom floor with h naked from her shower & struggling against her clothed stepdad. And from 27yo investigative-reporter H betraying her trust as a 15yo teen, when she thought he was being a sympathetic stranger who kindly gave her a ride back to her foster home & who listened to her story with patience. Yet to turn it around by writing his damning article about how she was like a Lolita temptress-of-men who easily took rides with strange men & enraptured them with her presence.
Liked how h tried to get some power back with her controlled & ordered prim & proper life as an accountant secretary & to pretend to want to be H's typist so she can get revenge on him by getting some private info about him to destroy his successful writing career. Liked that h left H after she realized she loved him & thinking he only wanted to experiment with her to use her personal info for his new book and moved on by taking temporary jobs abroad for the next 6+ months.
Loved how H obsessed about h since he 1st met her when he was 27 & her 15. And even more so, when he realized how much he wronged her with the article he published after meeting her then & that he actively searched for her (i.e., placed ads out looking for her) the next 6 years and again during the 6+ months apart when she left him. Good sexual chemistry and some sexual foreplay. No sex scenes but hinted at that they were about to smex at the very end while already planning to get married ASAP.
MEH or the BAD:
He tried to atone for the wrongs he'd done towards h but didn't care for the guilt-trip he'd sometimes lay on her due to his sexual frustration. Or when he'd be overcome with passion and kiss and touch her, when she still wasn't psychologically ready. Until he'd get a rough reality-check when she would freak out in a PTSD-way when he'd get too physically close. Then, he'd feel guilty and be gentle & patient with her again.
Sexual History:
h didn't date anyone due to her sexual trauma at 15 until she left H. During the 6+ months after she left H, she went out on dates with several men & even kissed some of them to see if what she felt for H physically & emotionally was real or just a product of her healing. No significant relationship came out of it. H was celibate after h since he was in love with her & was intent on finding her again and finishing writing his autobiographical book based on his experience with h.
July 12, 2019
This is a really interesting novel from 1983 by Jordan. In it, the heroine (“Laurel”) has been attacked and almost raped by her step-father whilst still at school. When the school nurse notices bruising on Laurel, she calls Social Services who convince Laurel to press charges against the man. However, this is 1983 and what’s really interesting about this novel is its treatment not just of rape but also of rape of a minor. Within it, Laurel is somehow firmly to blame in the eyes of the court. She is forced to dress like a tart for the trial and her step-father, despite being found guilty, is only found guilty “with provocation”. It’s horrendous, it really is - and made worst by the fact that this is how rape was actually treated through much of the 1980s and years before it. Jordan here, is firmly in the territory of presenting a case for social justice, wrapped in the sugar coating of romantic fiction.
To add insult to injury, Laurel, at one of her weakest moments, is cornered by Oliver Savage (yes, our “hero”), a hard bitten journalist who believes that all girls who “cry rape” had it coming. He writes a damning article about Laurel and how the attack was her fault – something that nearly destroys Laurel.
Several years later Laurel has stuck herself back together, although she’ll never trust anyone again, and is working as a secretary for a publishing house. They’ve just gained a new writer – who can it be? Yes, it’s Oliver Savage, back to torment Laurel some more. And torment is definitely the operative word. Forcing her into a corner he forces his way into her flat (traumatising her some more), forces her to travel with him, answering the door to her and exposing himself to her in varying states of nudity and finally hides her clothes. Laurel, who will never trust men ever again (and particularly not Oliver Savage) is in full blown meltdown.
Trying to find a way to discredit him, Laurel spends her time in her new post varying between researching his past misdemeanours and convincing herself she is in love with him. Oliver Savage is truly a horrible, horrible man – but this is a Mills & Boon and it’s not long before PTSD has completely driven Laurel insane and she convinces herself she’s in love with him. It’s hard to balance the beginning of this book with the end – which has the ultimate inevitable conclusion. However, Jordan has made an attempt at serious social commentary here – it just hasn’t worked that well in the context of a novel like this one.
To add insult to injury, Laurel, at one of her weakest moments, is cornered by Oliver Savage (yes, our “hero”), a hard bitten journalist who believes that all girls who “cry rape” had it coming. He writes a damning article about Laurel and how the attack was her fault – something that nearly destroys Laurel.
Several years later Laurel has stuck herself back together, although she’ll never trust anyone again, and is working as a secretary for a publishing house. They’ve just gained a new writer – who can it be? Yes, it’s Oliver Savage, back to torment Laurel some more. And torment is definitely the operative word. Forcing her into a corner he forces his way into her flat (traumatising her some more), forces her to travel with him, answering the door to her and exposing himself to her in varying states of nudity and finally hides her clothes. Laurel, who will never trust men ever again (and particularly not Oliver Savage) is in full blown meltdown.
Trying to find a way to discredit him, Laurel spends her time in her new post varying between researching his past misdemeanours and convincing herself she is in love with him. Oliver Savage is truly a horrible, horrible man – but this is a Mills & Boon and it’s not long before PTSD has completely driven Laurel insane and she convinces herself she’s in love with him. It’s hard to balance the beginning of this book with the end – which has the ultimate inevitable conclusion. However, Jordan has made an attempt at serious social commentary here – it just hasn’t worked that well in the context of a novel like this one.
February 2, 2022
It's really 2.5 stars, if I'm honest I don't even think that when this was written it was appropriate. Totally get what it was trying to do but this book missed the point. Getting through the first 110 pages was a real mission.
Instead of just apologizing and getting Laurel therapy, Oliver considered himself Phil Donahue and was going to force himself into her life again to repair her.
I think was really got me was when Laurel "found" herself falling for him without dealing with Oliver's bullsh*t. Like come on, you wanted revenge, then you saw a side of him that made you love him. What side was that and when?!? He was an egotistical jerk that deserved to beg Laurel forgiveness. Not a damn book!
Considering that the book was a total of 190 pages, it my honest opinion to just pass on this one.
Instead of just apologizing and getting Laurel therapy, Oliver considered himself Phil Donahue and was going to force himself into her life again to repair her.
I think was really got me was when Laurel "found" herself falling for him without dealing with Oliver's bullsh*t. Like come on, you wanted revenge, then you saw a side of him that made you love him. What side was that and when?!? He was an egotistical jerk that deserved to beg Laurel forgiveness. Not a damn book!
Considering that the book was a total of 190 pages, it my honest opinion to just pass on this one.
September 13, 2018
Honestly, I think this book was poorly executed as in the romance was just badly built up. I think the author had a great idea but with this topic you need to write more, explain more - I do not think a man can help in the sense it was written out here. She would have needed psychological help not forcing-my-kisses-on-you-because-i-want-to-help help.
November 10, 2020
Such potential with the storyline that had to be ruined by an ass of an H. He decides when she, the victim of a violent assault, is ready to come out of her she'll. Very few books/Hero's have angered me this much outside actual true crime books that deal with sexual assault and the general public's sometimes inability to deal with the victims/survivors.
Read
June 21, 2020Is this a fiction version of treatment of sexual assault? Is the hero a therapist?! Cause he is trying to do immersive therapy to the heroine and its nuts. The author is reckless to put this story under romance. Skip.
March 24, 2020
Really, really bad. It gets two stars just having okay grammar.
September 30, 2020
The heroine was stupid and quickly fell in love with the hero.
March 25, 2021
I think that some acts are unforgivable and destroying some girls reputation and siding up with a rapist is one of them. Could not get myself to even finish it.
Read
April 11, 2024Eu prefiro acreditar que Não foi PJ quem escreveu.
September 20, 2024
The one you wouldn’t read because the reporter hero wrote an article twisting the heroine’s attempted rape by her stepfather to somehow it being her fault.
August 23, 2014
قرأتها مترجمة للعربية
العدد رقم 004 من سلسلة روايات عبير
الصادرة عن دار الكتاب العربي
و تحمل اسم " لعنة الماضي "
رشحتها لي صديقة
و قد كانت تسلية لطيفة أثناء انقطاع التيار الكهربي
تحكي الرواية عن الشابة لوريل
التي تعرضت في فترة مراهقتها لمحاولة اغتصاب من زوج أمها
الذي نجح محاميه في أن يظهره بمظهر الضحية لا الجاني أثناء محاكمته
و أن الفتاة المراهقة هي من حاولت اغوائه
كرهت لوريل الرجال و كانت ترى في كل رجل زوج أمها
إلا أن ظهر الرجل الذي استطاع تحريرها من تلك العقدة
حررها من لعنة الماضي المسيطرة على حياتها
رواية لا بأس بها :)
العدد رقم 004 من سلسلة روايات عبير
الصادرة عن دار الكتاب العربي
و تحمل اسم " لعنة الماضي "
رشحتها لي صديقة
و قد كانت تسلية لطيفة أثناء انقطاع التيار الكهربي
تحكي الرواية عن الشابة لوريل
التي تعرضت في فترة مراهقتها لمحاولة اغتصاب من زوج أمها
الذي نجح محاميه في أن يظهره بمظهر الضحية لا الجاني أثناء محاكمته
و أن الفتاة المراهقة هي من حاولت اغوائه
كرهت لوريل الرجال و كانت ترى في كل رجل زوج أمها
إلا أن ظهر الرجل الذي استطاع تحريرها من تلك العقدة
حررها من لعنة الماضي المسيطرة على حياتها
رواية لا بأس بها :)
November 10, 2015
I know this book is written in the 80s but victim-shaming is very much still happening these days.While I appreciate what Oliver went through to make him feel what he did when the crime happened to Laurel, I cannot forgive or accept that here he is trying to make amends knowing he WAS wrong, yet whenever he's frustrated he said the EXACT most hurtful words to make Laurel feel ashamed. Plot wise that's my issue but all in an angsty story. RIP Penny Jordan.
December 20, 2012
I read this over two years ago and forgot to rate it. It packs an emotional punch, it sure does.
Read
February 8, 2015horrifying
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