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An Insatiable Passion
Eight years ago Kitty had fled from home, away from the heartbreak Jake had caused her. Now, returning to Mirsby for her grandmother's funeral, she was determined to lay the ghosts of the past. After all, she had made a good life for herself as a well-known actress. So why was it that all her poise deserted her when she saw Jake again, still as attractive as before and infinitely more dangerous?
189 pages, Paperback
First published September 14, 1990
78 people are currently reading
325 people want to read
About the author
Lynne Graham
1,763 books1,448 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. See this thread for more information.
Lynne Graham was born on July 30, 1956 of Irish-Scottish parentage. She has livedin Northern Ireland all her life. She grew up in a seaside village with herbrother. She learnt to read at the age of 3, and haven't stopped since then.
Lynne first met her husband when she was 14. At 15, she wrote her firstbook, but it was rejected everywhere. Lynne married after she completed adegree at Edinburgh University. She started writing again when she was athome with her first child. It took several attempts before she sold herfirst book in 1987 and the delight of seeing that first book for sale in thelocal newsagents has never been forgotten. Now, there are over 10 million ofher books in print worldwide.
Lynne always wanted a large family and has five children. Her eldest and heronly natural child is 19 and currently at university. Her other fourchildren, who are every bit as dear to her heart, are adopted. She has two9-year-olds adopted from Sri Lanka and a 5- and a 3-year-old adopted fromGuatemala. In Lynne's home, there is a rich and diverse cultural mix, whichadds a whole extra dimension of interest and discovery to family life. Thefamily lives in a country house surrounded by a woodland garden, which iswonderfully private. The family has two pets. Thomas, a very large andaffectionate black cat, bosses the dog and hunts rabbits. The dog is Daisy,an adorable but not very bright white West Highland terrier, who loves beingchased by the cat. At night, dog and cat sleep together in front of thekitchen stove. Lynne loves gardening, cooking, collects everything from oldtoys to rock specimens and is crazy about every aspect of Christmas.
Lynne Graham was born on July 30, 1956 of Irish-Scottish parentage. She has livedin Northern Ireland all her life. She grew up in a seaside village with herbrother. She learnt to read at the age of 3, and haven't stopped since then.
Lynne first met her husband when she was 14. At 15, she wrote her firstbook, but it was rejected everywhere. Lynne married after she completed adegree at Edinburgh University. She started writing again when she was athome with her first child. It took several attempts before she sold herfirst book in 1987 and the delight of seeing that first book for sale in thelocal newsagents has never been forgotten. Now, there are over 10 million ofher books in print worldwide.
Lynne always wanted a large family and has five children. Her eldest and heronly natural child is 19 and currently at university. Her other fourchildren, who are every bit as dear to her heart, are adopted. She has two9-year-olds adopted from Sri Lanka and a 5- and a 3-year-old adopted fromGuatemala. In Lynne's home, there is a rich and diverse cultural mix, whichadds a whole extra dimension of interest and discovery to family life. Thefamily lives in a country house surrounded by a woodland garden, which iswonderfully private. The family has two pets. Thomas, a very large andaffectionate black cat, bosses the dog and hunts rabbits. The dog is Daisy,an adorable but not very bright white West Highland terrier, who loves beingchased by the cat. At night, dog and cat sleep together in front of thekitchen stove. Lynne loves gardening, cooking, collects everything from oldtoys to rock specimens and is crazy about every aspect of Christmas.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 61 reviews
June 19, 2025
Wow - this one was different. And it really should go on the Harlequin Evil Family List here at Goodreads. Both the H/h had family members that messed their lives up when they were just teenagers and they are still paying the price 8 miserable years later.
LG does a great job showing that the H/h really were soul mates growing up, so their inability to get past the pain of betrayal was really harrowing to read. (In a good way - this is delicious angst).
I enjoyed the role reversal of the hero staying behind to lose his fortune while the heroine went out in the world and gained fame and fortune. Plus it's the heroine who secretly buys the hero's family home and can extract all kinds of revenge - although she never does.
And just in time for the holidays, I also enjoyed how truly horrible their families were.
This is a very different LG - no ditzy dyslexic heroines, no cute pets, no indulgent Greek alpha billionaires. The H is a veterinarian with a hot temper. The h is an actress with accountants and housekeepers and the ability to manage them. These are two strong characters who really do lead with their hearts and not their heads. A very satisfying HP. Thanks to bookjunkie who brought it to my attention!
LG does a great job showing that the H/h really were soul mates growing up, so their inability to get past the pain of betrayal was really harrowing to read. (In a good way - this is delicious angst).
I enjoyed the role reversal of the hero staying behind to lose his fortune while the heroine went out in the world and gained fame and fortune. Plus it's the heroine who secretly buys the hero's family home and can extract all kinds of revenge - although she never does.
And just in time for the holidays, I also enjoyed how truly horrible their families were.
This is a very different LG - no ditzy dyslexic heroines, no cute pets, no indulgent Greek alpha billionaires. The H is a veterinarian with a hot temper. The h is an actress with accountants and housekeepers and the ability to manage them. These are two strong characters who really do lead with their hearts and not their heads. A very satisfying HP. Thanks to bookjunkie who brought it to my attention!
September 4, 2018
I do NOT give a shit for his reasoning.
He told her to get an abortion even if she's pregnant and then marries someone of his social footing and HE HAS A KID with OW.
I'm sorry. I don't believe anyone's explanation anymore. He didn't fucking explain anything to her which would have been at least somewhat normal.
I'd tell you what DOES seem plausible to me:
What I felt was he really wanted her virginity and telling her he loves her was the only way to do it.
He does it, now she's no use to him so he just discards her exactly as he wants to. LG feels guilty about this asshole so SHE desperately wants us to believe that he did this for a purpose. No he didn't.
He only used that as an excuse when he had to win her back.
I mean what other excuse could he give a heroine whom he asked to get an abortion?
So I do NOT for a moment believe he had any honourable intention towards heroine. He just wanted to screw her, he did and then get rid of her and he did. I mean she isn't the one fit to be his wife is she?
Now a second wife when she has fame, money and recognition? Sure.
But a first wife and mother of his child? No.
That's why he picked the OW.
Sorry. No. I don't believe your explanation on love.
There is no love.
And don't get me started on her celibacy!!!!!!!!!
WHY? Why does HE get to have normal life and she doesn't?
Because LG hates women, that's why!
He told her to get an abortion even if she's pregnant and then marries someone of his social footing and HE HAS A KID with OW.
I'm sorry. I don't believe anyone's explanation anymore. He didn't fucking explain anything to her which would have been at least somewhat normal.
I'd tell you what DOES seem plausible to me:
What I felt was he really wanted her virginity and telling her he loves her was the only way to do it.
He does it, now she's no use to him so he just discards her exactly as he wants to. LG feels guilty about this asshole so SHE desperately wants us to believe that he did this for a purpose. No he didn't.
He only used that as an excuse when he had to win her back.
I mean what other excuse could he give a heroine whom he asked to get an abortion?
So I do NOT for a moment believe he had any honourable intention towards heroine. He just wanted to screw her, he did and then get rid of her and he did. I mean she isn't the one fit to be his wife is she?
Now a second wife when she has fame, money and recognition? Sure.
But a first wife and mother of his child? No.
That's why he picked the OW.
Sorry. No. I don't believe your explanation on love.
There is no love.
And don't get me started on her celibacy!!!!!!!!!
WHY? Why does HE get to have normal life and she doesn't?
Because LG hates women, that's why!
August 13, 2017
Re An Insatiable Passion - Lynne Graham's third HP outing is unlike any of her others. Though we get glimpses of future LG staples like rotten families, veterinarians, and an h who melts any time she is in proximity to the H, this one carries an amount of angst that shocks most readers familiar with the Lynne Graham sub-continent of HPlandia.
This one starts with an h who is returning to her childhood home after eight years away. She isn't really happy to be going back, she had a very hard time growing up as an illegitimate child whose mum died when she was born. The grandparents who raised her seemed intent on punishing her with verbal beratement and indifference since her mother escaped them. The one shinning light in the h's life was the son of the local landowner. He coaxed her out of hiding as a shy 8 year old and they soon became devoted friends. The boy's mother was never kind to the h and perpetually tried to break the friendship between the H and h up. She wasn't successful.
Intent on presenting the h in the worst possible light to the H, she hires the h as a maid on the night of a big party when the h was 17. The H finds her being mauled by a drunken guest and he saves the h from a fate worse than death. He takes her to her assigned bedroom for the night and later returns when she complains she was hungry. Inevitably the two find their way into the big luvre mojo moment when the H confesses he loves her and the h can't hold back. The next day, the H dumps the h in a pretty harsh manner and tells her if she is preggers, she needs to terminate it. Then he trots himself off and marries the first rich girl he sees.
The h is heartbroken, she thought she was connecting with her soulmate and instead she was just a pitstop for the H on his way to the love of his life. Even worse, the h lies and tells the H she isn't up the duff, and her grandparents kick the suicidal girl out when they find out that yet another shameful illegitimate child is about to be thrust upon them. The h runs to her father, he is a vainglorious actor who has never acknowledged that he has a child. Since he likes the looks of the h, she is really beautiful, he decides he can mold her into an actress.
The h has a miscarriage and finds herself in drama school, soon she is made over and acting for big bucks. Her father lets the world think that she is his live-in mistress, as he doesn't want to acknowledge that he is old enough to have child and risk damaging he matinee idol image. The h buys the farm her grandparents live on, as the H's family has hit hard times and his perpetually cheating father has died and left them penniless and the H has to sell the family estate.
The h's father buys the place for the h and now, after her grandmother's death, the h returns to the Yorkshire land of her youth. She wants to try her hand at writing a novel and maybe settle a few ghosts as well. She has never loved another man after the experience with the H, so hopefully the h will get a new career out of this visit and a chance to put the past into the past. Rumors abound that the h's father kicked her out in favor of another woman, but the truth is the h, tired of her father's manipulations and vanity, chucked her acting career and left him.
The first person she meets after her return is the H, and the h isn't happy to see him and horrified to realize that her knees still liquesce in his vicinity. She and the H have some harsh words and he claims he wants to be friends, but the h is not having any of that. Her hurt and pain are just too great and she thinks she hates him. The h decides to stay in the dilapidated cottage that was part of her grandparent's farm and the H keeps turning up. Ostensibly to buy the cottage from her as he thinks she is poor, but really he just can't stay away from her and the h is not delighted to learn that he has a child with his now deceased adulterous first wife.
The h manages to drive the H off, he is apparently sampling the lady buffet and as the h has already been tasted, she has no intentions of becoming a second course, being a buffet offering has never served her very well. The h also hugs the knowledge to herself that she is far from poor, she owns the H's family estate and has tons of money and accountants and is well able to manage them, and it seems the years have not treated the H as well monetarily. The h and H are forced together again when she finds his abused daughter hiding in her shed. The H's mother is horrible to the child, she blames the girl's dead mother for causing problems between her and her son.
Then there is a fire in the h's cottage and she is rescued by the H. She goes to stay with him at his house and soon their passion is a fiery as ever. The H decides he wants to marry the h, but he still thinks she has been in a scandalous relationship for last eight years and the h, wanting to find leashes to hold the H with, doesn't tell him anything different. The h recognizes that the H is very possessive, she figures if he thinks he has competition he will continue to stay around and she really wants to marry him.
They do marry and the h manages to make peace with the H's sister but his mother is another matter entirely. The h knows they are estranged over the antics of his first wife, but the real kicker is that the H's mother lied the day after the h and H first slept together and told the H that they shared the same father. Which was an utter falsehood.
The h's mother worked for the father in his office and he wouldn't stop pursuing her. So she quit, but she told the H's mother why she was leaving and humiliated the lady to no end. In a petty act of revenge when she saw how the H felt about the h, she made up a lie and the H did not find out the truth until his mother became ill and confessed years later. The H was not pleased and having a hair trigger temper to begin with, pretty much told his mother off for good. Tho he still lets her live in his house as he is a veterinarian and needs someone to stay with his daughter when has has night calls.
Since the h and H are married now and the h and daughter get along like a house on fire, the mother is soon dismissed after her confession and the mists of HPlandia swallow her up. Then the H finds out the h owns his old estate and in a paroxysm of outrage and fury because he thinks the H's father is her lover and bought the place to spite him, he forcibly seduces the h, calls her all kinds of tartlike names and dumps a pile of money on the bed before walking out.
The h pack up and leaves, despite the protestations of the housekeeper who wants nothing more than to pimp the h out to the H some more. The h goes to her father in France and tells his current girlfriend that she isn't his lover, she is his child and the woman is welcome to whatever she thinks the father's lurve mojo skillz have got. Then the h has a big mopey moment and her father tries to apologize in his self centered and rather funnily egotistical way. The h doesn't hold things against him, he is the way he is and the h understands he just can't help himself. Besides, he did help her when she was desperate, tho she wryly admits if she hadn't have been beautiful and moldable, he wouldn't have.
Then the H shows up and he feels a bit sorry for behaving so badly. Then he feels really sorry when he finds out that he was jealous of the h's father and even more really sorry when the h explains about the miscarriage. The H tells her that he knows he acted badly, but he was so freaked out over the whole father deal that he ran off and married the first women he found to try and avoid the temptation of the h. That did not work, cause everyone including his wife knew she was an inadequate substitute and the H spent eons mooning and pining over the h. She was always the one and when his mother finally confessed the truth and his marriage ended so badly, he was pretty shattered, but determined to take his chance when the h showed up in his life again.
The h and H are now free to share their love and all the secrets are out and we get a little epilogue with the H and h living in the H's old family estate, their second child on the way and the h's father turning green at the fact that he is going to be a grandfather again.
This one was interesting and on the must read list just because it is such a huge departure for Lynne Graham. This book reads like a cross between Anne Mather and Charlotte Lamb told in LG's rapidly developing unique style. I urge anyone who is an LG fan to take this out for a spin, the story is really intense and the angst is huge and it makes a singular impression on the more familiar backlist that is LG's HPlandia.
This one starts with an h who is returning to her childhood home after eight years away. She isn't really happy to be going back, she had a very hard time growing up as an illegitimate child whose mum died when she was born. The grandparents who raised her seemed intent on punishing her with verbal beratement and indifference since her mother escaped them. The one shinning light in the h's life was the son of the local landowner. He coaxed her out of hiding as a shy 8 year old and they soon became devoted friends. The boy's mother was never kind to the h and perpetually tried to break the friendship between the H and h up. She wasn't successful.
Intent on presenting the h in the worst possible light to the H, she hires the h as a maid on the night of a big party when the h was 17. The H finds her being mauled by a drunken guest and he saves the h from a fate worse than death. He takes her to her assigned bedroom for the night and later returns when she complains she was hungry. Inevitably the two find their way into the big luvre mojo moment when the H confesses he loves her and the h can't hold back. The next day, the H dumps the h in a pretty harsh manner and tells her if she is preggers, she needs to terminate it. Then he trots himself off and marries the first rich girl he sees.
The h is heartbroken, she thought she was connecting with her soulmate and instead she was just a pitstop for the H on his way to the love of his life. Even worse, the h lies and tells the H she isn't up the duff, and her grandparents kick the suicidal girl out when they find out that yet another shameful illegitimate child is about to be thrust upon them. The h runs to her father, he is a vainglorious actor who has never acknowledged that he has a child. Since he likes the looks of the h, she is really beautiful, he decides he can mold her into an actress.
The h has a miscarriage and finds herself in drama school, soon she is made over and acting for big bucks. Her father lets the world think that she is his live-in mistress, as he doesn't want to acknowledge that he is old enough to have child and risk damaging he matinee idol image. The h buys the farm her grandparents live on, as the H's family has hit hard times and his perpetually cheating father has died and left them penniless and the H has to sell the family estate.
The h's father buys the place for the h and now, after her grandmother's death, the h returns to the Yorkshire land of her youth. She wants to try her hand at writing a novel and maybe settle a few ghosts as well. She has never loved another man after the experience with the H, so hopefully the h will get a new career out of this visit and a chance to put the past into the past. Rumors abound that the h's father kicked her out in favor of another woman, but the truth is the h, tired of her father's manipulations and vanity, chucked her acting career and left him.
The first person she meets after her return is the H, and the h isn't happy to see him and horrified to realize that her knees still liquesce in his vicinity. She and the H have some harsh words and he claims he wants to be friends, but the h is not having any of that. Her hurt and pain are just too great and she thinks she hates him. The h decides to stay in the dilapidated cottage that was part of her grandparent's farm and the H keeps turning up. Ostensibly to buy the cottage from her as he thinks she is poor, but really he just can't stay away from her and the h is not delighted to learn that he has a child with his now deceased adulterous first wife.
The h manages to drive the H off, he is apparently sampling the lady buffet and as the h has already been tasted, she has no intentions of becoming a second course, being a buffet offering has never served her very well. The h also hugs the knowledge to herself that she is far from poor, she owns the H's family estate and has tons of money and accountants and is well able to manage them, and it seems the years have not treated the H as well monetarily. The h and H are forced together again when she finds his abused daughter hiding in her shed. The H's mother is horrible to the child, she blames the girl's dead mother for causing problems between her and her son.
Then there is a fire in the h's cottage and she is rescued by the H. She goes to stay with him at his house and soon their passion is a fiery as ever. The H decides he wants to marry the h, but he still thinks she has been in a scandalous relationship for last eight years and the h, wanting to find leashes to hold the H with, doesn't tell him anything different. The h recognizes that the H is very possessive, she figures if he thinks he has competition he will continue to stay around and she really wants to marry him.
They do marry and the h manages to make peace with the H's sister but his mother is another matter entirely. The h knows they are estranged over the antics of his first wife, but the real kicker is that the H's mother lied the day after the h and H first slept together and told the H that they shared the same father. Which was an utter falsehood.
The h's mother worked for the father in his office and he wouldn't stop pursuing her. So she quit, but she told the H's mother why she was leaving and humiliated the lady to no end. In a petty act of revenge when she saw how the H felt about the h, she made up a lie and the H did not find out the truth until his mother became ill and confessed years later. The H was not pleased and having a hair trigger temper to begin with, pretty much told his mother off for good. Tho he still lets her live in his house as he is a veterinarian and needs someone to stay with his daughter when has has night calls.
Since the h and H are married now and the h and daughter get along like a house on fire, the mother is soon dismissed after her confession and the mists of HPlandia swallow her up. Then the H finds out the h owns his old estate and in a paroxysm of outrage and fury because he thinks the H's father is her lover and bought the place to spite him, he forcibly seduces the h, calls her all kinds of tartlike names and dumps a pile of money on the bed before walking out.
The h pack up and leaves, despite the protestations of the housekeeper who wants nothing more than to pimp the h out to the H some more. The h goes to her father in France and tells his current girlfriend that she isn't his lover, she is his child and the woman is welcome to whatever she thinks the father's lurve mojo skillz have got. Then the h has a big mopey moment and her father tries to apologize in his self centered and rather funnily egotistical way. The h doesn't hold things against him, he is the way he is and the h understands he just can't help himself. Besides, he did help her when she was desperate, tho she wryly admits if she hadn't have been beautiful and moldable, he wouldn't have.
Then the H shows up and he feels a bit sorry for behaving so badly. Then he feels really sorry when he finds out that he was jealous of the h's father and even more really sorry when the h explains about the miscarriage. The H tells her that he knows he acted badly, but he was so freaked out over the whole father deal that he ran off and married the first women he found to try and avoid the temptation of the h. That did not work, cause everyone including his wife knew she was an inadequate substitute and the H spent eons mooning and pining over the h. She was always the one and when his mother finally confessed the truth and his marriage ended so badly, he was pretty shattered, but determined to take his chance when the h showed up in his life again.
The h and H are now free to share their love and all the secrets are out and we get a little epilogue with the H and h living in the H's old family estate, their second child on the way and the h's father turning green at the fact that he is going to be a grandfather again.
This one was interesting and on the must read list just because it is such a huge departure for Lynne Graham. This book reads like a cross between Anne Mather and Charlotte Lamb told in LG's rapidly developing unique style. I urge anyone who is an LG fan to take this out for a spin, the story is really intense and the angst is huge and it makes a singular impression on the more familiar backlist that is LG's HPlandia.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 20, 2017
A 1 star read for me, but 4 star angst.
Poor little h is suffering from Penny Jordan/Sara Craven syndrome in a Lynne Graham book plus we have one of my least favorite kind of heroes: the verbally abusive and cruel hero who believes the worst but is, supposedly, head over heels. Not to mentionn, but he treats his sweet, scaredy FOUR YEAR OLD little daughter like she's part of the furniture.
I don't see a happily ever after in the works for these two for so, so many reasons. Let’s start with the sweet couple. Despite being friends as children, and holding a longterm love for each other, he is a sadistic, arm-twisting SOB that thinks the worst of her at every turn, and she, with her traitorous body and inability to open her mouth once to spill some much needed truth, takes it like chump. Yuck and ick. Are you so spineless, tiny h, that you are incapable of defending yourself? I guess the answer is yes. Plus the heroine admits she’s holding on to her “bad girl” status to hold on to a little self-respect. This is how you do it by lying and pretending to be your father's mistress? I'm crossing lines here and letting logic rear its boring head.
Then we have the secondary characters. Serious competitor for worst parent ever with Sophie, the H’s spiteful, manipulative lying mother who can’t and won’t take responsibility for any of the life-altering lies she told. The h’s grandparents weren’t much better to the h as well as the the h’s father who literally was never there for, and is now pretending that she is his side piece. Again, yuck and ick.
I guess being raised by emotional wolves, makes the h the perfect little emotional victim for the H.
Poor little h is suffering from Penny Jordan/Sara Craven syndrome in a Lynne Graham book plus we have one of my least favorite kind of heroes: the verbally abusive and cruel hero who believes the worst but is, supposedly, head over heels. Not to mentionn, but he treats his sweet, scaredy FOUR YEAR OLD little daughter like she's part of the furniture.
I don't see a happily ever after in the works for these two for so, so many reasons. Let’s start with the sweet couple. Despite being friends as children, and holding a longterm love for each other, he is a sadistic, arm-twisting SOB that thinks the worst of her at every turn, and she, with her traitorous body and inability to open her mouth once to spill some much needed truth, takes it like chump. Yuck and ick. Are you so spineless, tiny h, that you are incapable of defending yourself? I guess the answer is yes. Plus the heroine admits she’s holding on to her “bad girl” status to hold on to a little self-respect. This is how you do it by lying and pretending to be your father's mistress? I'm crossing lines here and letting logic rear its boring head.
Then we have the secondary characters. Serious competitor for worst parent ever with Sophie, the H’s spiteful, manipulative lying mother who can’t and won’t take responsibility for any of the life-altering lies she told. The h’s grandparents weren’t much better to the h as well as the the h’s father who literally was never there for, and is now pretending that she is his side piece. Again, yuck and ick.
I guess being raised by emotional wolves, makes the h the perfect little emotional victim for the H.
skimmed
February 16, 2022The insatiable passion in the title must solely allude to the heroine's because this weak hero didn't stand by his woman when she needed him. He failed her, and didn't fight hard enough for their love. All the angst in the world doesn't compensate for this glaring lack:
February 25, 2017
I spent an hour or so crying my way through a re-read of this yesterday. First off, the transformation of the heroine from a heartbroken, destitute, pregnant teenager into a fabulously wealthy, famous, beautiful young actress is the stuff of fantasy. Love it. Secondly, the Hero in this seemed like a first-rate asshat, and certainly betrayed the the heroine in the worst possible way in the past and continues to act in a very Neanderthal way towards her when she returns, but the way he dogs her steps and can't bring himself to leave her alone for any prolonged amount of time is very emotional. No matter how rude and mean he is to her, he literally cannot keep himself away, and you can see him eating his heart out for her in every interaction they have.
To summarize their past, Jake was a wealthy, privileged son and Kitty was an orphaned servant-class girl. They always had a special bond despite the difference in their social standings, and when Kitty was seventeen, Jake got drunk, told her he loved her, and took her virginity. The day after, he told her it was a mistake and if she was pregnant she'd have to get an abortion. Of course, she lied and said she wasn't, and he was all, Thank God! and went off and married a rich girl and had a baby with her. Kitty was kicked out by her not-so-loving grandparents who thought her pregnancy made her a trampy immoral slut, so she ran away.
How hateable. Every box ticked on the list of Worst Things a Slimy Odious Hero Can Do. But as it turns out, Jake's okay. He's not some oblivious, I'm-not-an-ass-I'm-God's-gift-to-you moron who doesn't realize how horribly he's treating the heroine. He's not a womanizer and he has no delusions about what he does- he knows he's ruining both of their lives. He's not my favorite Hero ever and I could still beat him up for thinking it'd be okay to marry someone else, but I don't hate him a bit because his reasons were actually legit. I cried for what Kitty suffered, but I also actually cried for Jake too, cos he suffered almost as much. And it's awful but I found it so satisfying to know he neglected his wife and there was no doubt to anyone that she was a secondary, peripheral choice.
It was interesting to see an Alpha male do his steamrolling of the heroine in such a tentative, uncertain way. You know how Alpha Heroes just bully, blackmail, and generally force the heroine to do what they want, including marriage? Jake's every bit an Alpha male, but he does his forcing with a good helping of desperate wooing. Like the way he showed up in the middle of the night with champagne and glasses. Or the way he proposed marriage to her, then grabbed at straws to assume her consent.
It was also very gratifying that Kitty had the upper hand on Jake the whole time. He thinks she's back because she was dumped by her on-off much-older boyfriend and that she's struggling financially. The truth is, she wanted to try her hand at writing novels and she's actually very rich and successful, and her supposed boyfriend is actually her father, an extremely famous actor who showers money and expensive gifts on her; he even bought her the ancestral home of Jake's family. So unusual to have the heroine be wealthier than the Hero.
Anyway no spoilers but this one will give you a good cry if you're in the mood for some worthy angst.
To summarize their past, Jake was a wealthy, privileged son and Kitty was an orphaned servant-class girl. They always had a special bond despite the difference in their social standings, and when Kitty was seventeen, Jake got drunk, told her he loved her, and took her virginity. The day after, he told her it was a mistake and if she was pregnant she'd have to get an abortion. Of course, she lied and said she wasn't, and he was all, Thank God! and went off and married a rich girl and had a baby with her. Kitty was kicked out by her not-so-loving grandparents who thought her pregnancy made her a trampy immoral slut, so she ran away.
How hateable. Every box ticked on the list of Worst Things a Slimy Odious Hero Can Do. But as it turns out, Jake's okay. He's not some oblivious, I'm-not-an-ass-I'm-God's-gift-to-you moron who doesn't realize how horribly he's treating the heroine. He's not a womanizer and he has no delusions about what he does- he knows he's ruining both of their lives. He's not my favorite Hero ever and I could still beat him up for thinking it'd be okay to marry someone else, but I don't hate him a bit because his reasons were actually legit. I cried for what Kitty suffered, but I also actually cried for Jake too, cos he suffered almost as much. And it's awful but I found it so satisfying to know he neglected his wife and there was no doubt to anyone that she was a secondary, peripheral choice.
It was interesting to see an Alpha male do his steamrolling of the heroine in such a tentative, uncertain way. You know how Alpha Heroes just bully, blackmail, and generally force the heroine to do what they want, including marriage? Jake's every bit an Alpha male, but he does his forcing with a good helping of desperate wooing. Like the way he showed up in the middle of the night with champagne and glasses. Or the way he proposed marriage to her, then grabbed at straws to assume her consent.
It was also very gratifying that Kitty had the upper hand on Jake the whole time. He thinks she's back because she was dumped by her on-off much-older boyfriend and that she's struggling financially. The truth is, she wanted to try her hand at writing novels and she's actually very rich and successful, and her supposed boyfriend is actually her father, an extremely famous actor who showers money and expensive gifts on her; he even bought her the ancestral home of Jake's family. So unusual to have the heroine be wealthier than the Hero.
Anyway no spoilers but this one will give you a good cry if you're in the mood for some worthy angst.
July 13, 2015
This book was very different from all the ones I have read by Lynne Graham. Most of the time while I was reading the book I was in tears.
November 17, 2011
Wow -- this was SO different from the Lynne Grahams I'm used to -- basically sweet-tempered heroines and humorously arrogant, 100% in control heroes. This one is much more serious and dark -- reminds me more of old Penny Jordan romances. And the characters are more balanced -- she isn't 100% sweetness, and he shows some vulnerability, even early on. I felt drawn in right away (I'm a sucker for reunion stories), and the emotional angst was there from the start. I thought it was slightly too long in the middle -- there was a point when I felt like all they'd done was sling insults and kiss each other for too long and I needed a break and the plot wasn't going anywhere. But then finally things moved along and it was pretty great. I didn't anticipate the plot twist, but it was a good one and really exonerated the hero. So overall, I liked this one!
September 12, 2016
This book was full of the crazy old skool. Lots of meat to this story of a soap opera actress coming home to the town she left behind at 17. And coming home to the man who broke her heart. They couldn't stay away from each other. This hero was very different in that he was poorer than the heroine and was just finishing up schooling to become a veterinarian. The misunderstandings and everything that kept them apart were substantial and well written.
Just an all around fun read.
Just an all around fun read.
December 30, 2020
Less stars for the obvious reasons though I enjoyed the hero-heroine’s connection and dialogues. I also liked that she became a huge star didn’t immediately fold to hero’s demands.
November 23, 2016
Wow! This one blew me away.
This is a book about loss and lies and soul deep pain.
Kitty and Jake grew up together. He was the only son of wealthiest family in the town, and she the poor bastard girl that no one loved. Jake being five years older took her under his wing and cared for her. Became her only friend in a very sad childhood.
As they grew older that friendship grew into love. When Kitty was 17 they shared one forbidden night, but the viciousness of the ones around them destroyed what they shared.
Eight years later Kitty returns to her hometown as a celebrity to find that Jake's family had lost everything. They are thrown back together and the sparks fly. But in-spite of their undeniable attraction to each other the pain and secrets of the past conspire to keep them tearing each other apart.
I started this book on a work day and became sooo frustrated that I couldn't finish it in one sitting. It's one of those books that compels you to read it until you are done. This is a serious keeper and a book I will read again. The best Lynne Graham book that I have read - and I've read a lot of her books!
This is a book about loss and lies and soul deep pain.
Kitty and Jake grew up together. He was the only son of wealthiest family in the town, and she the poor bastard girl that no one loved. Jake being five years older took her under his wing and cared for her. Became her only friend in a very sad childhood.
As they grew older that friendship grew into love. When Kitty was 17 they shared one forbidden night, but the viciousness of the ones around them destroyed what they shared.
Eight years later Kitty returns to her hometown as a celebrity to find that Jake's family had lost everything. They are thrown back together and the sparks fly. But in-spite of their undeniable attraction to each other the pain and secrets of the past conspire to keep them tearing each other apart.
I started this book on a work day and became sooo frustrated that I couldn't finish it in one sitting. It's one of those books that compels you to read it until you are done. This is a serious keeper and a book I will read again. The best Lynne Graham book that I have read - and I've read a lot of her books!
August 23, 2011
Kind of a sweet book. Kitty's pain was palpable throughout, and then when we find out what drives Jake to some of his decisions, his bad behavior - which could have earned this a (is her life better for knowing him) spot on my shelf - is completely vindicated. Kitty could have caused herself a lot of new heartache though by telling him some home truths.
July 23, 2013
very nice 1:) it was different from other mills books. their story was really heartbreaking..how cruelly they were separated n how badly kitty misunderstood jake. for once, the male character had a very good reason 2 abandon the heroine. it was inevitable..i mean he really had no choice..under the circumstances he thought were true
September 7, 2018
I'm still reading this one, but I'm struggling to find it plausible.
Heroine:
* has severe flu
* nearly dies of smoke inhalation in a house fire
* is dragged unconscious from the burning ruins
* does not receive hospital treatment
* supposedly agrees to hero's proposal while delirious (she has no memory of it)
The day after the fire, the hero visits his uncle - conveniently a bishop, though this is the first mention of it - gets a special licence, and fixes their wedding for THREE DAYS LATER.
She has flu. She nearly died. She almost certainly has lung damage.
He fixes it for her to wear his grandma's old wedding dress.
He's asking her out for dinner TWO DAYS after the fire. Let's recap:
Day 1: Heroine has severe flu and her house burns down with her inside it
Day 2: Heroine regains consciousness/hero gets a special licence from his uncle
Day 3: Hero asks heroine out to dinner (she's still bedridden from flu)
Day 4: (haven't read this far yet)
Day 5: supposedly the wedding
I mean, WHY? Why not at least give it a couple of bloody weeks?
Heroine:
* has severe flu
* nearly dies of smoke inhalation in a house fire
* is dragged unconscious from the burning ruins
* does not receive hospital treatment
* supposedly agrees to hero's proposal while delirious (she has no memory of it)
The day after the fire, the hero visits his uncle - conveniently a bishop, though this is the first mention of it - gets a special licence, and fixes their wedding for THREE DAYS LATER.
She has flu. She nearly died. She almost certainly has lung damage.
He fixes it for her to wear his grandma's old wedding dress.
He's asking her out for dinner TWO DAYS after the fire. Let's recap:
Day 1: Heroine has severe flu and her house burns down with her inside it
Day 2: Heroine regains consciousness/hero gets a special licence from his uncle
Day 3: Hero asks heroine out to dinner (she's still bedridden from flu)
Day 4: (haven't read this far yet)
Day 5: supposedly the wedding
I mean, WHY? Why not at least give it a couple of bloody weeks?
November 14, 2019
Secret love.
Being an unwanted child after her mother dies giving birth, Kitty grows up idolizing the one person that gave her attention and kindness, Jake.
Rich, handsome, and caring Jake had been waiting for Kitty to growup to claim her in marriage. Not realizing the bad forces in the background that want to keep them apart.
Lies get told....and hearts get broken.
This was not your typical revenge/love read but one with a more serious tone and angst.
Kitty is strong and determined to resist Jake, as he can only bring heartache. She is smart in realizing she still loves him but he is no good for her. Jake on the other hand seems determined to spend time with her even when she makes it plain she does not want him there. You don't really get a feel for his thoughts and his reasons, so they remain a mystery until he confesses all.
A very nice emotional angsty read.
Being an unwanted child after her mother dies giving birth, Kitty grows up idolizing the one person that gave her attention and kindness, Jake.
Rich, handsome, and caring Jake had been waiting for Kitty to growup to claim her in marriage. Not realizing the bad forces in the background that want to keep them apart.
Lies get told....and hearts get broken.
This was not your typical revenge/love read but one with a more serious tone and angst.
Kitty is strong and determined to resist Jake, as he can only bring heartache. She is smart in realizing she still loves him but he is no good for her. Jake on the other hand seems determined to spend time with her even when she makes it plain she does not want him there. You don't really get a feel for his thoughts and his reasons, so they remain a mystery until he confesses all.
A very nice emotional angsty read.
July 10, 2022
Wow, there's a LOT going on in this one. Unusually, the h (unbeknownst to the H) is the wealthier party, which is a reversal of their childhood/teen situation. At one point (while he still doesn't know and before the many, MANY complications and misunderstandings are out in the open) he does say he wouldn't marry her if she had a lot of money. He's a vet and she's an actor. It's interesting that LG writes this scenario as it becomes more and more common in modern life, albeit still a minority I'm guessing.
Anyway this is only one of the things going on between these two, it's more pages than the usual as well, to deal with it all!
Excellent sexual chemistry and a very possessive and passionate H. I'd recommend.
Anyway this is only one of the things going on between these two, it's more pages than the usual as well, to deal with it all!
Excellent sexual chemistry and a very possessive and passionate H. I'd recommend.
October 9, 2020
Kitty, the heroine, suffered a lot because of Jake, the hero, in the past. The last straw of pain was her grandmother's death in her depression, so she decides to go back to her old house and take a grip of her life. She doesn't expect to face Jake again and from the moment she sees him, her painful-hated-wanted love for him shatters her life again
You acutely understand the deep grief of both the hero and the heroine and their inner struggle. A lovely story with such a wonderfully intriguing writing style that hooks the reader. A recommended read.
You acutely understand the deep grief of both the hero and the heroine and their inner struggle. A lovely story with such a wonderfully intriguing writing style that hooks the reader. A recommended read.
February 23, 2019
3.5 stars
September 12, 2020
Two stars for the melodrama, one for Lynne Graham.
January 13, 2022
This one is good.
Recommend it.
Recommend it.
July 8, 2022
Insatiable Passion
Wow! How have I not read this LG book until now!
I am thinking LG got her inspiration for this story by watching Mexican Soap operas.
I really think this story is best read without spoilers ahead of time. I am going to attempt to talk about it without giving major things away. This will focus mainly on the set up of the story. There is really no way to cover all the drama in a review.
So right away the class system is against our two wannabe lovers. The hero Jake is upcoming lord of the manor, and the h Kitty lives with her grandparents in one of the tenant homes on the estate. Kitty first meets Jake when he is 10 and she is 5. He is away at school most of the time, but when he is home he makes time for the little imp. As they get older it is obvious that the h has formed an attachment to the H. She gets warned by the H’s mom to not set her sights on the H as he is out of her league. Meanwhile, she tells her son to stop encouraging the little waif as she is not appropriate gf/wife material.
Fast forward a few years, the h is 17(her unloving grandparents made her quit school and start working) and she is helping out at the New Year’s party hosted by the H’s mom. The H sees the h getting hit on and rushes her up to the servant room she will be sleeping in that night. Later he comes to her drunk, tells her he loves her and then takes her virginity. Oh, and since he was drunk and in his words not very experienced, the sex was not good for the h. But worse than that he utters the words..”What have I done…”Oh but it gets better….
24 hours later the H tells the h that it was a mistake, he cares for her like a sister, and if there are consequences from their union he will help her with the termination…there is no way he is going to marry her…..So yeah he is a number 1 jerk(for now)
3 weeks later she tells him she is not pregnant, he praises his lucky stars, and then marries another woman who happens to be wealthy .
8 years later the tides have turned….The h took off after the H married, plus her grandparents kicked her out when they found out she was a tart…The good news is she became a famous actress in a tv show. The bad news is she has been shacking up with a man old enough to be her father(Hmmm interesting word choice there🤔), but who was also instrumental in fostering her career. She has had it with acting and decides to go back to the homestead since both her grandparents are dead. During this time the H’s own dad died shortly after the New Year’s Party and left the family destitute. The H had to sell off most of the property to keep his mom and sisters flush. He did manage to finish up school and is now a full fledged veterinarian! (Now heroes who are vets are not very common in HP land, so this was nice for a change of pace!) His wife died a couple of years ago, and he has a 4 year old daughter. When the h comes back into town, he can’t keep away from her. OF course he still hurls insults in between passionate kissing episodes.
The rest of(most of ) the story are these two trying to get their way back to each other. The h was terribly hurt by the H and has a very hard time trusting him. In addition to this, our h has a lot of secrets that she needs to tell the H, but doesn’t because she is keeping her heart safe. The H also has secrets, which he should really tell, but he isn’t sure how to go about it.
They do end up having sex. It is obvious that they fit well together. IT is also obvious that our H is tortured by his love for the h. So why did he send her on her way 8 years ago and treat her so cruelly. Well…..
His mother Sophie has the answer to that question and this woman comes off as the worst of the worst. These revelations do not come out until the end of the book, and all I have to say is that her crimes should be spread among that little close knit community, or at the very least the H and h should let his sisters know what she did. This woman doesn’t deserve a relationship with her children. I will say this, once you find out the revelation it is interesting to go back in the story and reread the hateful comments the H said to the h. It actually makes a lot more sense and the hero was very tortured.
The best thing I can say about the h’s grandparents, is that they are dead before the story starts!
There is a possible ow in the story, but the H insists she is a red herring. LG gives us a delightful epilogue, and ends the story on a funny note.
After watching Splendor in the Grass recently, I was super happy this couple gets their happy ending.
So If you like a good dose of angst served with a ginormous side of drama, this is definitely worth you time. Plus it is important to give the H a chance to explain himself. There were times I got a little aggravated with the h and H because they let their secrets go on too long. The revealing of secrets would have cleared the path to true love much sooner, but alas we would have missed out on all the delicious angst and LG knows this!
Wow! How have I not read this LG book until now!
I am thinking LG got her inspiration for this story by watching Mexican Soap operas.
I really think this story is best read without spoilers ahead of time. I am going to attempt to talk about it without giving major things away. This will focus mainly on the set up of the story. There is really no way to cover all the drama in a review.
So right away the class system is against our two wannabe lovers. The hero Jake is upcoming lord of the manor, and the h Kitty lives with her grandparents in one of the tenant homes on the estate. Kitty first meets Jake when he is 10 and she is 5. He is away at school most of the time, but when he is home he makes time for the little imp. As they get older it is obvious that the h has formed an attachment to the H. She gets warned by the H’s mom to not set her sights on the H as he is out of her league. Meanwhile, she tells her son to stop encouraging the little waif as she is not appropriate gf/wife material.
Fast forward a few years, the h is 17(her unloving grandparents made her quit school and start working) and she is helping out at the New Year’s party hosted by the H’s mom. The H sees the h getting hit on and rushes her up to the servant room she will be sleeping in that night. Later he comes to her drunk, tells her he loves her and then takes her virginity. Oh, and since he was drunk and in his words not very experienced, the sex was not good for the h. But worse than that he utters the words..”What have I done…”Oh but it gets better….
24 hours later the H tells the h that it was a mistake, he cares for her like a sister, and if there are consequences from their union he will help her with the termination…there is no way he is going to marry her…..So yeah he is a number 1 jerk(for now)
3 weeks later she tells him she is not pregnant, he praises his lucky stars, and then marries another woman who happens to be wealthy .
8 years later the tides have turned….The h took off after the H married, plus her grandparents kicked her out when they found out she was a tart…The good news is she became a famous actress in a tv show. The bad news is she has been shacking up with a man old enough to be her father(Hmmm interesting word choice there🤔), but who was also instrumental in fostering her career. She has had it with acting and decides to go back to the homestead since both her grandparents are dead. During this time the H’s own dad died shortly after the New Year’s Party and left the family destitute. The H had to sell off most of the property to keep his mom and sisters flush. He did manage to finish up school and is now a full fledged veterinarian! (Now heroes who are vets are not very common in HP land, so this was nice for a change of pace!) His wife died a couple of years ago, and he has a 4 year old daughter. When the h comes back into town, he can’t keep away from her. OF course he still hurls insults in between passionate kissing episodes.
The rest of(most of ) the story are these two trying to get their way back to each other. The h was terribly hurt by the H and has a very hard time trusting him. In addition to this, our h has a lot of secrets that she needs to tell the H, but doesn’t because she is keeping her heart safe. The H also has secrets, which he should really tell, but he isn’t sure how to go about it.
They do end up having sex. It is obvious that they fit well together. IT is also obvious that our H is tortured by his love for the h. So why did he send her on her way 8 years ago and treat her so cruelly. Well…..
His mother Sophie has the answer to that question and this woman comes off as the worst of the worst. These revelations do not come out until the end of the book, and all I have to say is that her crimes should be spread among that little close knit community, or at the very least the H and h should let his sisters know what she did. This woman doesn’t deserve a relationship with her children. I will say this, once you find out the revelation it is interesting to go back in the story and reread the hateful comments the H said to the h. It actually makes a lot more sense and the hero was very tortured.
The best thing I can say about the h’s grandparents, is that they are dead before the story starts!
There is a possible ow in the story, but the H insists she is a red herring. LG gives us a delightful epilogue, and ends the story on a funny note.
After watching Splendor in the Grass recently, I was super happy this couple gets their happy ending.
So If you like a good dose of angst served with a ginormous side of drama, this is definitely worth you time. Plus it is important to give the H a chance to explain himself. There were times I got a little aggravated with the h and H because they let their secrets go on too long. The revealing of secrets would have cleared the path to true love much sooner, but alas we would have missed out on all the delicious angst and LG knows this!
January 7, 2015
Started off really slow but turned out to be a good story.
September 1, 2020
He was extremely abusive. The scene after they’re married with the money on the bed? Just No.
No idea why she forgave him.
No idea why she forgave him.
September 5, 2024
"I can’t remember a time when I didn’t love you. When you came back, I did genuinely intend to try to be a friend. Only I wasn’t capable of that. I saw you again and that was it."
November 14, 2025
Lynne Graham’s An Insatiable Passion is a delicious throwback to everything I miss in classic category romance; raw yearning, combustible chemistry, and the sort of angst that coils tight in your chest and refuses to let go.
Kitty Colgan returns home after years away, now an internationally renowned actress with poise and polish. But all of that cultivated serenity crumbles the moment she comes face-to-face with Jake Tarrant, the man who once broke her heart and altered the entire course of her life. Their shared childhood was marked by sharp class differences and even sharper emotional wounds. Kitty, the unwanted child raised by cold grandparents, and Jake, the privileged boy who saw something precious in her long before she saw anything in herself.
Eight years earlier, one reckless night changed them forever. Kitty suffered through the aftermath alone; pregnancy, miscarriage and abandonment, while Jake ran headlong into marriage with another. When Kitty returns at twenty-five, elegant but hollowed by past pain, and Jake at thirty-three, now a single father, the spark between them reignites with the force of a wildfire. Every interaction, no matter how barbed, carries an undercurrent of longing neither of them can disguise.
The heart of the story lies in their entangled histories and the devastating misunderstandings that shaped their early choices. Jake had never stopped wanting Kitty, but the circumstances of their past and what he believed then made him flee when he should have fought. Kitty, meanwhile, has never been loved in the way she yearned for, and Jake’s betrayal carved deep wounds that time could not heal. Their reunion is therefore explosive in the truest sense: two damaged souls circling each other with equal parts desire, bitterness, vulnerability, and bone-deep familiarity.
What makes this novel shine is the sheer visceral intensity between Kitty and Jake. Their chemistry is elemental; magnetic, primal, and impossible to temper. Jake, in particular, is the kind of hero I miss in contemporary romance: confident, masculine, commanding in the way that makes your ovaries break out the pom-poms, and vulnerable only when it comes to one woman.
Kitty is Jake’s Achilles heel, and Graham writes that dynamic with addictive tension. Kitty too is a heroine molded by hardship, sweet, feminine, and painfully susceptible to Jake, but also stronger and more self-aware than the girl she once was. Their passion feels both inevitable and combustible, and Graham handles their emotional unravelling with sharp insight and heavy emotion.
I loved the revelations that come late in the story, particularly the truth about Jake’s mother and the tangled mess of lies, shame, and misplaced guilt that sabotaged their young love. The cycle they were trapped in becomes clearer and more heartbreaking, making their second chance feel both that much more precious and deeply satisfying. And the ending… pure perfection. Seeing Jake and Kitty unable to keep their hands off each other with a baby in their arms and another on the way encapsulates everything this book does best: love that burns hot, heals deep, and endures. Tina, Jake’s daughter, adds just the right amount of softness to balance the intensity. The only thing that could have made this book better? More insight into the Tina-Kitty dynamic. I would have adored some more of that.
Recommended for: readers who love old-school intensity, combustible chemistry, tortured pasts, childhood-to-adult second chances, and heroes who burn for their heroines with single-minded devotion.
Final Verdict: A gorgeously angst-ridden, sensual, and emotionally charged second-chance romance; An Insatiable Passion delivers everything the title promises in spades.
Rating = 5/5
For more reviews and quotes, please visit A Maldivian's Passion for Romance
Kitty Colgan returns home after years away, now an internationally renowned actress with poise and polish. But all of that cultivated serenity crumbles the moment she comes face-to-face with Jake Tarrant, the man who once broke her heart and altered the entire course of her life. Their shared childhood was marked by sharp class differences and even sharper emotional wounds. Kitty, the unwanted child raised by cold grandparents, and Jake, the privileged boy who saw something precious in her long before she saw anything in herself.
Eight years earlier, one reckless night changed them forever. Kitty suffered through the aftermath alone; pregnancy, miscarriage and abandonment, while Jake ran headlong into marriage with another. When Kitty returns at twenty-five, elegant but hollowed by past pain, and Jake at thirty-three, now a single father, the spark between them reignites with the force of a wildfire. Every interaction, no matter how barbed, carries an undercurrent of longing neither of them can disguise.
The heart of the story lies in their entangled histories and the devastating misunderstandings that shaped their early choices. Jake had never stopped wanting Kitty, but the circumstances of their past and what he believed then made him flee when he should have fought. Kitty, meanwhile, has never been loved in the way she yearned for, and Jake’s betrayal carved deep wounds that time could not heal. Their reunion is therefore explosive in the truest sense: two damaged souls circling each other with equal parts desire, bitterness, vulnerability, and bone-deep familiarity.
What makes this novel shine is the sheer visceral intensity between Kitty and Jake. Their chemistry is elemental; magnetic, primal, and impossible to temper. Jake, in particular, is the kind of hero I miss in contemporary romance: confident, masculine, commanding in the way that makes your ovaries break out the pom-poms, and vulnerable only when it comes to one woman.
Kitty is Jake’s Achilles heel, and Graham writes that dynamic with addictive tension. Kitty too is a heroine molded by hardship, sweet, feminine, and painfully susceptible to Jake, but also stronger and more self-aware than the girl she once was. Their passion feels both inevitable and combustible, and Graham handles their emotional unravelling with sharp insight and heavy emotion.
I loved the revelations that come late in the story, particularly the truth about Jake’s mother and the tangled mess of lies, shame, and misplaced guilt that sabotaged their young love. The cycle they were trapped in becomes clearer and more heartbreaking, making their second chance feel both that much more precious and deeply satisfying. And the ending… pure perfection. Seeing Jake and Kitty unable to keep their hands off each other with a baby in their arms and another on the way encapsulates everything this book does best: love that burns hot, heals deep, and endures. Tina, Jake’s daughter, adds just the right amount of softness to balance the intensity. The only thing that could have made this book better? More insight into the Tina-Kitty dynamic. I would have adored some more of that.
Recommended for: readers who love old-school intensity, combustible chemistry, tortured pasts, childhood-to-adult second chances, and heroes who burn for their heroines with single-minded devotion.
Final Verdict: A gorgeously angst-ridden, sensual, and emotionally charged second-chance romance; An Insatiable Passion delivers everything the title promises in spades.
Rating = 5/5
For more reviews and quotes, please visit A Maldivian's Passion for Romance
November 16, 2022
Las novelas de Lynne Graham casi siempre son mi lugar seguro dentro de la selección Bianca de HC. Amo sus romances de segundas oportunidades, son intensos con las emociones de dolor a flor de piel y heridas que merecen ser sanadas incluso por quienes, a veces sin querer, las causaron.
Pero esta novela ha sido para mí un rotundo no.
Empieza muy bien: Kitty, una actriz famosa en medio de un escándalo mediático, vuelve a las tierras donde creció con sus abuelos. Al hacerlo debe enfrentarse a Jake, su primer y único amor, que luego de acostarse con ella lo tachó como un terrible error y días después se casó con otra mujer, rompiendo el corazón y el orgullo de Kitty.
En estas historias, por mucho que se diga que odiamos las formulas, esperamos un ML cuyos fallos tienen una explicación lógica y sostenible para el daño inflingido. Si ha cometido errores esperamos redención y que sean capaces de robarnos el corazón incluso cuando no son santos.
Jake es el peor ML que he leído en este tipo de historias y eso que leo Dark Romance. Es manipulador, tiene un lenguaje detestable, cada que abría la boca me daban unas ganas de reventarle la cara que te caes. Misógino, celoso, aprensivo. Un idiota en toda la extensión de la palabra.
Nunca explica qué pasó aquella funesta noche ni por qué se alejó de Kitty y la lastimó de esa manera. Por si no fuera poco, Kitty se vuelve a enamorar de él... ¿CÓMO POR QUÉ? y toda la novela la autora intenta que creamos que Jake la amaba muchísimo. Nos lo dice con los personajes secundarios a cada rato que es cansino y forzado.
No puedes decir que un tipo es amable y buen padre y un gran partido cuando nos das escenas de él sobajando a Kitty por su vida sexual.
Horrible.
Pero esta novela ha sido para mí un rotundo no.
Empieza muy bien: Kitty, una actriz famosa en medio de un escándalo mediático, vuelve a las tierras donde creció con sus abuelos. Al hacerlo debe enfrentarse a Jake, su primer y único amor, que luego de acostarse con ella lo tachó como un terrible error y días después se casó con otra mujer, rompiendo el corazón y el orgullo de Kitty.
En estas historias, por mucho que se diga que odiamos las formulas, esperamos un ML cuyos fallos tienen una explicación lógica y sostenible para el daño inflingido. Si ha cometido errores esperamos redención y que sean capaces de robarnos el corazón incluso cuando no son santos.
Jake es el peor ML que he leído en este tipo de historias y eso que leo Dark Romance. Es manipulador, tiene un lenguaje detestable, cada que abría la boca me daban unas ganas de reventarle la cara que te caes. Misógino, celoso, aprensivo. Un idiota en toda la extensión de la palabra.
Nunca explica qué pasó aquella funesta noche ni por qué se alejó de Kitty y la lastimó de esa manera. Por si no fuera poco, Kitty se vuelve a enamorar de él... ¿CÓMO POR QUÉ? y toda la novela la autora intenta que creamos que Jake la amaba muchísimo. Nos lo dice con los personajes secundarios a cada rato que es cansino y forzado.
No puedes decir que un tipo es amable y buen padre y un gran partido cuando nos das escenas de él sobajando a Kitty por su vida sexual.
Horrible.
September 8, 2024
I'm giving this book two stars for its entertainment value, but otherwise it would get only one for its overabundance of HIDEOUS RELATIVES!!! It was also a story that was very, very flawed.
To say "bat crap" crazy is being polite! The H's mother is a mean, crummy, vindictive bitch, who wanted everyone else to pay for the fact that she had a cheating husband (and with her for a wife I can't altogether blame him). She took it out on the h because her horny hubby tried to get into the h's mother's panties (and was rejected by her but the bitch still blamed the victim, naturally) and treated her like she was dirt since she was a child, living with her grandparents on the H's family estate. Blue Blood vs. Riffraff, and all that.
When it became obvious that the H's interest in the h had changed from thinking of her as another sister to wanting her for a girlfriend, Mom tells him a vicious lie that makes both him and the h miserable for eight years! Later, when the H's rebound marriage produces a granddaughter, she acts nasty and abusive toward her because she couldn't stand her mother. (Either she has a problem with all women, or else she has incestuous feelings for her son. Either way, she needed intensive therapy or perhaps being run over by a speeding truck!)
Then there's the h's father, an aging movie star who can't except that time goes on and wants to stay the romantic lead both in films and in life, to the point where he starts a ridiculous rumor that his daughter's forced to live with, making everyone think they're lovers!!!! Talk about YECK!!!!! Rather than admit his true age (she first came into his life at 18, which would have put a lie to his early 30's image), he told the press she was his young mistress!! He then launched her on an acting career of her own as a father helping his daughter, but the world thought it was in payment for her services in bed! Really DISGUSTING!!! (And I might add, another touch of incest!) Because she was so desperate at the time for any affection, the dumb h went along with it for way too long. This man was kidding himself if he thought he could compete with younger actors both on screen and in bed, despite what his string of girlfriends told him. (They'd say anything to sail on his yacht.)
Then there were the h's crap grandparents, who had zero sympathy for their pregnant daughter, (abandoned by her actor boyfriend), didn't seem to care all that much when she died, and raised their granddaughter out of a sense of duty only, never making her forget that fact, and when she later needed them, they tossed her out like yesterday's trash, with only directions to her father's house! After that, they wanted nothing more to do with her, ignoring her calls and letters, except when it was a matter of money they needed, big surprise! And the h's dad used the responsibility of his teenage daughter to his advantage, not caring about her reputation, figuring he'd make her a star and that would shut her up, when what she really wanted to be was a writer.
A HUGE flaw in this story is our being expected to believe that this insecure, shy, awkward teenager can almost overnight become a leading actress in a nighttime soap, playing a femme fatale! COME ON!!!!! I've said it before and I'll say it again, DON'T INSULT MY INTELIGENCE!!!
Of course, her own life is in a deep freeze, so even though her daddy wants her to act the witty flirt at social gatherings, she has no interest in men (except the one who broke her heart) and the guys that dad fixes her up with (making the press speculate on infidelity that works both ways) can't get anywhere.
Her one and only time was with the H, which left her pregnant and abandoned, then heartbroken when she miscarried their baby. The H never knew, because he had told her that should she discover she's pregnant, abortion was the answer, something she could never have done! So of course, she never told him she was pregnant.
The reason for his callous behavior was because (thanks to his Bitch Queen mom) he thought the h was his half-sister!!!! Mommie Dearest made him think he'd unwittingly committed incest!!! This is why he gave the love of his life the old heave ho, (telling her in time her broken heart would mend, "sad eyes") married another girl on the rebound, had a miserable marriage, had a daughter that didn't help bring them together, got cheated on, got dumped (karma), then became a widower when she died in a car crash. What a mess!!
I felt sorry for this unseen OW, as the h never loved her, married her because she looked like the h (talk about insensitive, not to mention crappy), poured all his time into salvaging what he could from his family's ruined fortune (thanks to his late irresponsible dad) and then starting his veterinarian career, while neglecting his wife. Meanwhile, his mommy didn't like her daughter-in-law (big surprise) and didn't like her little granddaughter because she didn't like the mother! She's just one big pile of crap!!
But how can the H be excused for not making any attempt to find the h when she first disappeared? Despite his thinking that giving her the brush off was for the best (he couldn't bring himself to tell her he was her half-brother after they'd slept together), he believed the girl was his sister, so he should have at least attempted to show brotherly concern for her! Instead, he later saves concern for her horrible grandmother, assuming that she was neglected by the h (when it was the other way around), who's now living with her movie star lover, or so he thinks!
And that's another thing! How many brothers would ignore the fact that their kid sister is shacking up with a lover old enough to be her father, and a known womanizer at that??? Shouldn't he have made it his business to try and see her, even if it meant confessing the (supposed) truth, in order to be sure that she knew what she was doing and everything was okay? Instead, he just assumed she was being a shallow gold-digger, never stopping to wonder how she could have changed so much in so short a time? More STUPIDITY!!
Even more dumb, the H never had a clue how big a star the h was (despite knowing the character she played on TV), assuming most of her fame/money came from the OM/Dad being her lover! How STUPID! The show she was on was something along the lines of "Dallas" or "Dynasty", and back when those shows were on TV, even people who lived way out in the boondocks knew about them, so how likely was it that he never saw her on TV, never read about her in the papers, never knew anything about what a star she was, and how much money she was making???? While it was true he was busy with his work around the failing estate, his little daughter and his vet career, which didn't leave him much free time, still - once again - DON'T INSULT MY INTELLIGENCE!!!
Too much of the story suffered from a bad case of the sillies: him making a magnanimous attempt to be friends when she returns after Grandma (finally) kicked the old bucket, yet at the same time making cutting remarks about her supposed lifestyle, and her being Queen of the Snark Remarks one minute, Ms. Flirty Flirt the next (to get him jealous, though she won't admit it) and then Miss Mary Sue and I Love You True as well, while getting angry both at him and herself when she wants his body as much as he wants hers!
She also neglects to tell him a few facts, like she owns his entire estate (through a company that has a corny combo of both her name and her dad's), she has a lot more money than he thinks, and that Lover Man is really Dear Old Dad (emphasis on the "old", that would really kill Pops)!
Naturally, he's jealous as hell, while she's jealous of a token second OW who he was dating, and who the potential second OM was in love with, and yes, it's a bit of a mess!
There's a lot of stuff thrown in: a fire, a marriage, the little girl who adores the h, a bat crazy confession from her batty new mom-in-law, a horrible row that turns to near rape (when the H finds out about the estate and wants nothing to do with money she supposedly earned on her back underneath the aging actor), more arguments, more drama, more MESS!!!
She waited TOO LONG to tell him about her father and her purchasing the estate (first for revenge, then to give him back his family home and property out of love) and her pride and fear caused a lot of wasted time!
Also: they never really talked out all that had happened between them until the very end, when it was compressed into too much at too late in the story. (The same goes for her FINALLY fessing up about her dad, both to the H and to the world!)
You never get to find out if she continues acting or finishes the book she started writing. You never get told if the second OW/second OM get together. You never get to see the H confront his horrible mother about everything she did. You never get to find out why they'd want her incredible ass of a father to be a part of their lives. You never get a lot of stuff you should have gotten.
So, if you skip this, no big deal, you'll never get a regret.
To say "bat crap" crazy is being polite! The H's mother is a mean, crummy, vindictive bitch, who wanted everyone else to pay for the fact that she had a cheating husband (and with her for a wife I can't altogether blame him). She took it out on the h because her horny hubby tried to get into the h's mother's panties (and was rejected by her but the bitch still blamed the victim, naturally) and treated her like she was dirt since she was a child, living with her grandparents on the H's family estate. Blue Blood vs. Riffraff, and all that.
When it became obvious that the H's interest in the h had changed from thinking of her as another sister to wanting her for a girlfriend, Mom tells him a vicious lie that makes both him and the h miserable for eight years! Later, when the H's rebound marriage produces a granddaughter, she acts nasty and abusive toward her because she couldn't stand her mother. (Either she has a problem with all women, or else she has incestuous feelings for her son. Either way, she needed intensive therapy or perhaps being run over by a speeding truck!)
Then there's the h's father, an aging movie star who can't except that time goes on and wants to stay the romantic lead both in films and in life, to the point where he starts a ridiculous rumor that his daughter's forced to live with, making everyone think they're lovers!!!! Talk about YECK!!!!! Rather than admit his true age (she first came into his life at 18, which would have put a lie to his early 30's image), he told the press she was his young mistress!! He then launched her on an acting career of her own as a father helping his daughter, but the world thought it was in payment for her services in bed! Really DISGUSTING!!! (And I might add, another touch of incest!) Because she was so desperate at the time for any affection, the dumb h went along with it for way too long. This man was kidding himself if he thought he could compete with younger actors both on screen and in bed, despite what his string of girlfriends told him. (They'd say anything to sail on his yacht.)
Then there were the h's crap grandparents, who had zero sympathy for their pregnant daughter, (abandoned by her actor boyfriend), didn't seem to care all that much when she died, and raised their granddaughter out of a sense of duty only, never making her forget that fact, and when she later needed them, they tossed her out like yesterday's trash, with only directions to her father's house! After that, they wanted nothing more to do with her, ignoring her calls and letters, except when it was a matter of money they needed, big surprise! And the h's dad used the responsibility of his teenage daughter to his advantage, not caring about her reputation, figuring he'd make her a star and that would shut her up, when what she really wanted to be was a writer.
A HUGE flaw in this story is our being expected to believe that this insecure, shy, awkward teenager can almost overnight become a leading actress in a nighttime soap, playing a femme fatale! COME ON!!!!! I've said it before and I'll say it again, DON'T INSULT MY INTELIGENCE!!!
Of course, her own life is in a deep freeze, so even though her daddy wants her to act the witty flirt at social gatherings, she has no interest in men (except the one who broke her heart) and the guys that dad fixes her up with (making the press speculate on infidelity that works both ways) can't get anywhere.
Her one and only time was with the H, which left her pregnant and abandoned, then heartbroken when she miscarried their baby. The H never knew, because he had told her that should she discover she's pregnant, abortion was the answer, something she could never have done! So of course, she never told him she was pregnant.
The reason for his callous behavior was because (thanks to his Bitch Queen mom) he thought the h was his half-sister!!!! Mommie Dearest made him think he'd unwittingly committed incest!!! This is why he gave the love of his life the old heave ho, (telling her in time her broken heart would mend, "sad eyes") married another girl on the rebound, had a miserable marriage, had a daughter that didn't help bring them together, got cheated on, got dumped (karma), then became a widower when she died in a car crash. What a mess!!
I felt sorry for this unseen OW, as the h never loved her, married her because she looked like the h (talk about insensitive, not to mention crappy), poured all his time into salvaging what he could from his family's ruined fortune (thanks to his late irresponsible dad) and then starting his veterinarian career, while neglecting his wife. Meanwhile, his mommy didn't like her daughter-in-law (big surprise) and didn't like her little granddaughter because she didn't like the mother! She's just one big pile of crap!!
But how can the H be excused for not making any attempt to find the h when she first disappeared? Despite his thinking that giving her the brush off was for the best (he couldn't bring himself to tell her he was her half-brother after they'd slept together), he believed the girl was his sister, so he should have at least attempted to show brotherly concern for her! Instead, he later saves concern for her horrible grandmother, assuming that she was neglected by the h (when it was the other way around), who's now living with her movie star lover, or so he thinks!
And that's another thing! How many brothers would ignore the fact that their kid sister is shacking up with a lover old enough to be her father, and a known womanizer at that??? Shouldn't he have made it his business to try and see her, even if it meant confessing the (supposed) truth, in order to be sure that she knew what she was doing and everything was okay? Instead, he just assumed she was being a shallow gold-digger, never stopping to wonder how she could have changed so much in so short a time? More STUPIDITY!!
Even more dumb, the H never had a clue how big a star the h was (despite knowing the character she played on TV), assuming most of her fame/money came from the OM/Dad being her lover! How STUPID! The show she was on was something along the lines of "Dallas" or "Dynasty", and back when those shows were on TV, even people who lived way out in the boondocks knew about them, so how likely was it that he never saw her on TV, never read about her in the papers, never knew anything about what a star she was, and how much money she was making???? While it was true he was busy with his work around the failing estate, his little daughter and his vet career, which didn't leave him much free time, still - once again - DON'T INSULT MY INTELLIGENCE!!!
Too much of the story suffered from a bad case of the sillies: him making a magnanimous attempt to be friends when she returns after Grandma (finally) kicked the old bucket, yet at the same time making cutting remarks about her supposed lifestyle, and her being Queen of the Snark Remarks one minute, Ms. Flirty Flirt the next (to get him jealous, though she won't admit it) and then Miss Mary Sue and I Love You True as well, while getting angry both at him and herself when she wants his body as much as he wants hers!
She also neglects to tell him a few facts, like she owns his entire estate (through a company that has a corny combo of both her name and her dad's), she has a lot more money than he thinks, and that Lover Man is really Dear Old Dad (emphasis on the "old", that would really kill Pops)!
Naturally, he's jealous as hell, while she's jealous of a token second OW who he was dating, and who the potential second OM was in love with, and yes, it's a bit of a mess!
There's a lot of stuff thrown in: a fire, a marriage, the little girl who adores the h, a bat crazy confession from her batty new mom-in-law, a horrible row that turns to near rape (when the H finds out about the estate and wants nothing to do with money she supposedly earned on her back underneath the aging actor), more arguments, more drama, more MESS!!!
She waited TOO LONG to tell him about her father and her purchasing the estate (first for revenge, then to give him back his family home and property out of love) and her pride and fear caused a lot of wasted time!
Also: they never really talked out all that had happened between them until the very end, when it was compressed into too much at too late in the story. (The same goes for her FINALLY fessing up about her dad, both to the H and to the world!)
You never get to find out if she continues acting or finishes the book she started writing. You never get told if the second OW/second OM get together. You never get to see the H confront his horrible mother about everything she did. You never get to find out why they'd want her incredible ass of a father to be a part of their lives. You never get a lot of stuff you should have gotten.
So, if you skip this, no big deal, you'll never get a regret.
June 30, 2017
So, I used to read a lot of paperback romance novels and I’ve kept a box of them, mostly from the 80s and 90s. I’m slowly re-reading and reviewing them.
I really can’t believe I liked this book enough to keep it even when I was 26 years younger. The heroine is a weak pushover ruled by her lust; the hero is a misogynistic pig ruled by his lust. They knew and loved each other as children, but have never in their lives been able to be honest with each other. Each has a secret they can’t bear to reveal. After they sleep together (when she is 17 and he 22!), he tells her she can only ever be friends because . She tells him she is not pregnant but she is, and she runs off and reappears as the supposed mistress of a much older famous actor who
When they meet up years later they have a hot angry sex while hating each other and despising themselves for giving in to their lust. He says things like “She belongs to me” and at one point throws cash at her in bed to shame her for “principles of a whore” (despite the fact that she has ). They get married while still keeping the secrets that would clear up all the angst in their relationship – what a couple of masochists.
This time around the only thing I liked about the book was the hero’s small, plain child from this first marriage. Otherwise, ugh ugh ugh. The whole thing reads like a condensed soap opera.
I really can’t believe I liked this book enough to keep it even when I was 26 years younger. The heroine is a weak pushover ruled by her lust; the hero is a misogynistic pig ruled by his lust. They knew and loved each other as children, but have never in their lives been able to be honest with each other. Each has a secret they can’t bear to reveal. After they sleep together (when she is 17 and he 22!), he tells her she can only ever be friends because . She tells him she is not pregnant but she is, and she runs off and reappears as the supposed mistress of a much older famous actor who
When they meet up years later they have a hot angry sex while hating each other and despising themselves for giving in to their lust. He says things like “She belongs to me” and at one point throws cash at her in bed to shame her for “principles of a whore” (despite the fact that she has ). They get married while still keeping the secrets that would clear up all the angst in their relationship – what a couple of masochists.
This time around the only thing I liked about the book was the hero’s small, plain child from this first marriage. Otherwise, ugh ugh ugh. The whole thing reads like a condensed soap opera.
June 11, 2018
I have mixed feelings about this one. But I finally give it 4 star because it's just a very different story from LG's usual plot
First, the background story is just heartbreaking. Good love story heartbreaking. Kitty and Jake have loved each other since they are kids. As the story is told in Kitty's perspectives, we are told about how she kept on loving and hoping for Jake, her protector and best friend, even though they have different social status. One thing leads to another, they end up in bed together when she is 17. The following events however is simply tragic. Kitty suffers so much more than any other LG's heroine I have ever read. I'm glad that the background story is revealed in the first chapter though. It gives us perspective of what motivates Kitty's action throughout the story.
Second, while it starts as the prince and the pauper kind of story, Jake's father debts leave the family in financial problem. They are not poor, mind you, but the table has definitely turned 8 years later as Kitty emerges as a successful actress and (secretly) the daughter of a millionaire. So, for once in LG's story, the heroine has financial advantage over the H. Way to go, girl!!
Third, let's give a round of applause for the only LG's H (that I know of) who doesn't travel with chauffeur or private jets! He drives Land Rover and works as hard as his fellow normal people. There's something really appealing on how down to earth Jake is.
All in all, this is an enjoyable read.
First, the background story is just heartbreaking. Good love story heartbreaking. Kitty and Jake have loved each other since they are kids. As the story is told in Kitty's perspectives, we are told about how she kept on loving and hoping for Jake, her protector and best friend, even though they have different social status. One thing leads to another, they end up in bed together when she is 17. The following events however is simply tragic. Kitty suffers so much more than any other LG's heroine I have ever read. I'm glad that the background story is revealed in the first chapter though. It gives us perspective of what motivates Kitty's action throughout the story.
Second, while it starts as the prince and the pauper kind of story, Jake's father debts leave the family in financial problem. They are not poor, mind you, but the table has definitely turned 8 years later as Kitty emerges as a successful actress and (secretly) the daughter of a millionaire. So, for once in LG's story, the heroine has financial advantage over the H. Way to go, girl!!
Third, let's give a round of applause for the only LG's H (that I know of) who doesn't travel with chauffeur or private jets! He drives Land Rover and works as hard as his fellow normal people. There's something really appealing on how down to earth Jake is.
All in all, this is an enjoyable read.
June 19, 2017
I particularly disliked the characters in this book. I annoyingly struggled to finish reading it hoping that the latter chapters would make me change my mind about it but hell, I really hated it. The heroine acted like a doormat pretty much all through out the book. She let everyone misunderstood her, have the guy she once swore she loved to practically swallow her whole personality. He practically calls her a whore and she still falls under his feet. I found it so infuriating as well how she let everyone important in her life practically step over her, the egocentric hero was so far up his ass, he wasn't having any of it.
I was mostly annoyed how the hero bombarded her with insults having an older lover who turned out to be her father after all and yet she just stood there taking it in without an ounce of a backbone to defend herself. For a strong female heroine, she's submissive as hell and didn't have enough angst to ever clear her name nor defend herself.
I was mostly annoyed how the hero bombarded her with insults having an older lover who turned out to be her father after all and yet she just stood there taking it in without an ounce of a backbone to defend herself. For a strong female heroine, she's submissive as hell and didn't have enough angst to ever clear her name nor defend herself.
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