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Bittersweet
bitter sweet
Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1868
About the author
LaVyrle Spencer
143 books1,659 followersLaVyrle Spencer is an American best-selling author of contemporary and historical romance novels. She has successfully published a number of books, with several of them made into movies. Twelve of her books have been New York Times bestsellers, and Spencer was inducted into the Romance Writers of America Hall of Fame in 1988.
Spencer is known for creating realistic characters and stories that focus on families rather than only the relationship between a man and woman. These "ordinary" men and women are warm and vulnerable and are always portrayed sympathetically.[1] Her heroines tend to be a mix of fire and warmth, strength, savvy and soft–heartedness who must overcome some sort of adversity, such as pregnancy, divorce, a lengthy separation, the loss of a loved one, and then undergo a catharsis. The stories center on themes of abiding love, family ties and strength in difficult times.
In the 1980s and 1990s Spencer wrote 12 New York Times Bestsellers. Her books have been sold to book clubs worldwide, and have been published around the world. Condensed versions of many of her novels have appeared in Reader's Digest and Good Housekeeping.
She retired from writing in 1997.
Spencer is known for creating realistic characters and stories that focus on families rather than only the relationship between a man and woman. These "ordinary" men and women are warm and vulnerable and are always portrayed sympathetically.[1] Her heroines tend to be a mix of fire and warmth, strength, savvy and soft–heartedness who must overcome some sort of adversity, such as pregnancy, divorce, a lengthy separation, the loss of a loved one, and then undergo a catharsis. The stories center on themes of abiding love, family ties and strength in difficult times.
In the 1980s and 1990s Spencer wrote 12 New York Times Bestsellers. Her books have been sold to book clubs worldwide, and have been published around the world. Condensed versions of many of her novels have appeared in Reader's Digest and Good Housekeeping.
She retired from writing in 1997.
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October 9, 2023
Maggie had lost her husband in an accident a year earlier. He'd left her a rich woman but she was feeling lonely and depressed.
She was living in Seattle and her 17 year old daughter just left for college. Maggie was originally from a seaside town in Door county, Wisconsin.
Her therapist urged her to call old friends to talk about old times, so she called her best friend from high school and that conversation lightened her spirit.
Her old friend encouraged her to call another classmate, Eric. Maggie was hesitant to do so as long ago when they were seniors in high school, had been lovers, each other's first. Then they attended different universities at other parts of the country.
Maggie met and married an aeronautical engineer and moved to Seattle and Eric married as well.
Eric was married to Nancy, a stunningly beautiful woman. He was proud to have her at his side, he loved her.
Eric loved living in his home town but Nancy was a city girl and hated living in a small town. She had a glamorous job, flying all over the country on the weekdays and only coming home on the weekends.
They both resented each other's jobs.
Nancy was only interested in her career, she did not want to start a family, while Eric would love to have children and they were already 40 years old.
She told him that a woman had no business conceiving a baby she'd resent. Eric could not argue with that, for he would no more wish his child onto a resentful mother than she would.
Maggie had decided to return back to her home town. She bought an old big house with the intention of turning it into a bed and breakfast inn.
After 23 years she saw Eric again.
On the weekdays when Nancy was away, they would meet and talk about old times, problems in their marriages, things they never confided in anybody else.
They both realised the attraction was back. None of them had voiced it, but it was back. They told themselves it did not matter because they had no plans of meeting each other in the future.
SPOILERS
Weeks went by. Eric had found himself preoccupied with a woman who was not his wife. He never even looked at another woman before, other than Nancy.
Nancy would occasionally have one night stands during her working week away from home but no one would measure up to Eric who was in the dark of his wife's activities on weekdays.
Eric wanted more of the marriage and he'd made it clear to Nancy. He ate alone, slept alone, worked alone, and asked himself how many more years it would be this way, this solo existence.
Eric and Maggie started seeing each other again as friends. He would talk about his problems and she would feel sorry for him but she'd decided to stay on her own side of the street.
They would continue to see each other though, they had so much in common and enjoyed each other's company.
They knew they were falling in love and when the attraction became too strong, they started avoiding each other.
Many weeks had passed and one day Eric told Maggie that his marriage was far from what it was supposed to be and he realised it was never going to be right. He just did not have any feelings for Nancy anymore.
He loved Maggie.
He tried very hard not to, but he couldn't help himself.
They made love and felt like coming full circle. Afterwards he felt guilt for breaking his marriage vows but still the two were together the next night, as well as the next and the next.
On her return back, Nancy had noticed Eric was acting out of sorts so she decided to gaslight him. She told him maybe a baby wouldn't be so bad. Triggered Eric put her to the test. He had harsh and angry sex with her without giving her the chance to take any precautions.
A month had passed and Eric missed Maggie. He told her he wanted to marry her and she accepted, as soon as he was free.
Nancy made it clear she would never give him a divorce.
Eric moved in with his mother and filed for divorce.
Maggie found out she was pregnant. Eric thought this was the most incredible news he ever heard.
Nancy overheard Eric telling his brother about Maggie's pregnancy. She had to do something so she feigned a pregnancy.
Eric was shocked. He wanted to be with Maggie but Nancy was his wife and he'd been begging her for years to have a baby, how could he abandon her now when he knew she would make a disastrous, absentee mother whereby Maggie would make a loving, kind one.
Of the two children, Nancy's would need him the most so with a black heart he moved back to the marital house.
The next day he told Maggie about Nancy's pregnancy. Maggie knew then that she'd been a fool, played into the hands of a man who told her he loved her and was divorcing his wife, while he was getting her pregnant. She promptly run away from him.
Some months later Maggie heard from the grapevine that Nancy had a miscarriage while on one of her trips. Eric had taken Nancy on a cruise to patch up her health and their marriage.
Maggie gave birth to a baby girl and it was bitter sweet for Eric for he had no contact with Maggie and he would have no contact with the baby. All those milestones he'll miss.
One day he was going through Nancy's checking accounts. He did not find any payment for the miscarriage. He found instead a Hospital bill from 3 years earlier. She had an abortion. He saw red.
He confronted her and the scene wasn't nice.
Maggie was aware of the breakup and wondered if he would come back to her, but six months went by and nothing happened. She thought he wasn't coming back.
One day he appeared on her doorstep. He gave her an envelope, his divorce certificate. He said he waited to be a free man before coming before her and their daughter.
Many readers have a problem with the Hero cheating on his wife with the heroine. They reckon he should have divorced her first and then get together with the heroine. They are right.
She was living in Seattle and her 17 year old daughter just left for college. Maggie was originally from a seaside town in Door county, Wisconsin.
Her therapist urged her to call old friends to talk about old times, so she called her best friend from high school and that conversation lightened her spirit.
Her old friend encouraged her to call another classmate, Eric. Maggie was hesitant to do so as long ago when they were seniors in high school, had been lovers, each other's first. Then they attended different universities at other parts of the country.
Maggie met and married an aeronautical engineer and moved to Seattle and Eric married as well.
Eric was married to Nancy, a stunningly beautiful woman. He was proud to have her at his side, he loved her.
Eric loved living in his home town but Nancy was a city girl and hated living in a small town. She had a glamorous job, flying all over the country on the weekdays and only coming home on the weekends.
They both resented each other's jobs.
Nancy was only interested in her career, she did not want to start a family, while Eric would love to have children and they were already 40 years old.
She told him that a woman had no business conceiving a baby she'd resent. Eric could not argue with that, for he would no more wish his child onto a resentful mother than she would.
Maggie had decided to return back to her home town. She bought an old big house with the intention of turning it into a bed and breakfast inn.
After 23 years she saw Eric again.
On the weekdays when Nancy was away, they would meet and talk about old times, problems in their marriages, things they never confided in anybody else.
They both realised the attraction was back. None of them had voiced it, but it was back. They told themselves it did not matter because they had no plans of meeting each other in the future.
SPOILERS
Weeks went by. Eric had found himself preoccupied with a woman who was not his wife. He never even looked at another woman before, other than Nancy.
Nancy would occasionally have one night stands during her working week away from home but no one would measure up to Eric who was in the dark of his wife's activities on weekdays.
Eric wanted more of the marriage and he'd made it clear to Nancy. He ate alone, slept alone, worked alone, and asked himself how many more years it would be this way, this solo existence.
Eric and Maggie started seeing each other again as friends. He would talk about his problems and she would feel sorry for him but she'd decided to stay on her own side of the street.
They would continue to see each other though, they had so much in common and enjoyed each other's company.
They knew they were falling in love and when the attraction became too strong, they started avoiding each other.
Many weeks had passed and one day Eric told Maggie that his marriage was far from what it was supposed to be and he realised it was never going to be right. He just did not have any feelings for Nancy anymore.
He loved Maggie.
He tried very hard not to, but he couldn't help himself.
They made love and felt like coming full circle. Afterwards he felt guilt for breaking his marriage vows but still the two were together the next night, as well as the next and the next.
On her return back, Nancy had noticed Eric was acting out of sorts so she decided to gaslight him. She told him maybe a baby wouldn't be so bad. Triggered Eric put her to the test. He had harsh and angry sex with her without giving her the chance to take any precautions.
A month had passed and Eric missed Maggie. He told her he wanted to marry her and she accepted, as soon as he was free.
Nancy made it clear she would never give him a divorce.
Eric moved in with his mother and filed for divorce.
Maggie found out she was pregnant. Eric thought this was the most incredible news he ever heard.
Nancy overheard Eric telling his brother about Maggie's pregnancy. She had to do something so she feigned a pregnancy.
Eric was shocked. He wanted to be with Maggie but Nancy was his wife and he'd been begging her for years to have a baby, how could he abandon her now when he knew she would make a disastrous, absentee mother whereby Maggie would make a loving, kind one.
Of the two children, Nancy's would need him the most so with a black heart he moved back to the marital house.
The next day he told Maggie about Nancy's pregnancy. Maggie knew then that she'd been a fool, played into the hands of a man who told her he loved her and was divorcing his wife, while he was getting her pregnant. She promptly run away from him.
Some months later Maggie heard from the grapevine that Nancy had a miscarriage while on one of her trips. Eric had taken Nancy on a cruise to patch up her health and their marriage.
Maggie gave birth to a baby girl and it was bitter sweet for Eric for he had no contact with Maggie and he would have no contact with the baby. All those milestones he'll miss.
One day he was going through Nancy's checking accounts. He did not find any payment for the miscarriage. He found instead a Hospital bill from 3 years earlier. She had an abortion. He saw red.
He confronted her and the scene wasn't nice.
Maggie was aware of the breakup and wondered if he would come back to her, but six months went by and nothing happened. She thought he wasn't coming back.
One day he appeared on her doorstep. He gave her an envelope, his divorce certificate. He said he waited to be a free man before coming before her and their daughter.
Many readers have a problem with the Hero cheating on his wife with the heroine. They reckon he should have divorced her first and then get together with the heroine. They are right.
January 26, 2018
3.75 stars
I don't know why I still have the feeling I already read this one! It was a bit predictable and will have some trigger factors for some, which did not really bother me. I did enjoy it.
Her mother is a total ....
Some eye rolling moments where you know where things are going but, other than that, an enjoyable enough read.
I have read other books by this author and have quite enjoyed them so I will definitely read some more by her.
I loved the Dad.
I don't know why I still have the feeling I already read this one! It was a bit predictable and will have some trigger factors for some, which did not really bother me. I did enjoy it.
Her mother is a total ....
Some eye rolling moments where you know where things are going but, other than that, an enjoyable enough read.
In all my being is no ripple of unrest
For I have opened unto you
The wide gates of my being
And like a tide you have flowed into me
I have read other books by this author and have quite enjoyed them so I will definitely read some more by her.
I loved the Dad.
May 2, 2019
I was really excited when I started this book because I love the writing style. So why the 2 stars? Because this book was actually just a short summary of the plot. Some major things happen in this book. Things that should bring every emotion from a reader. But instead of diving into what was happening to the main character and how she was feeling about these life changing events, we just got a bunch of “one month later,” “three months later,” “six months later,” “nine months later.” I felt robbed.
September 19, 2013
4 ½ stars. A lot of sadness and separation during this book, but it was offset with such tremendous love.
I wasn’t crying, but it was close. The way they felt for each other consumed me. I was so into this book. I was yearning for them to be together and they had all these obstacles. Finally they get their happy ending together. It’s about a powerful love. The main characters are 40-ish.
Caution, some readers will not like this because it’s a sympathetic look at adultery. Maggie tried to avoid any connection. Eric tried to be faithful. He wanted to be faithful, but he married the wrong woman. There is also a brief scene of spousal rape.
It’s about forbidden love. It’s also about people making changes in their lives to find happiness for different reasons. I love books about people make changes.
Vera the bitter unloving mean mother hit home. I know people like that or who have damaged relationships due to her type of personality. Nancy the lying selfish amazingly beautiful model-type. She wouldn’t give Eric a divorce. She did everything she could to keep him, even though he didn’t love her. The story was good because of the depth of characters like these. It made the story rich. Not enough of that is done by many current day authors.
Do I have complaints? Yes - in spoilers.
Occasionally I felt there was a bit too much time describing things. But that was minor.
DATA:
Narrative mode: 3rd person. Book length: 460 pages. Swearing language: moderate to strong, including religious swear words but rarely used. Sexual language: mild. Number of sex scenes: about 8. Setting: around 1988-1989 mostly Door county, Wisconsin with a little Seattle, Washington. Copyright: 1990. Genre: contemporary romance, divorce.
I wasn’t crying, but it was close. The way they felt for each other consumed me. I was so into this book. I was yearning for them to be together and they had all these obstacles. Finally they get their happy ending together. It’s about a powerful love. The main characters are 40-ish.
Caution, some readers will not like this because it’s a sympathetic look at adultery. Maggie tried to avoid any connection. Eric tried to be faithful. He wanted to be faithful, but he married the wrong woman. There is also a brief scene of spousal rape.
It’s about forbidden love. It’s also about people making changes in their lives to find happiness for different reasons. I love books about people make changes.
Vera the bitter unloving mean mother hit home. I know people like that or who have damaged relationships due to her type of personality. Nancy the lying selfish amazingly beautiful model-type. She wouldn’t give Eric a divorce. She did everything she could to keep him, even though he didn’t love her. The story was good because of the depth of characters like these. It made the story rich. Not enough of that is done by many current day authors.
Do I have complaints? Yes - in spoilers.
Occasionally I felt there was a bit too much time describing things. But that was minor.
DATA:
Narrative mode: 3rd person. Book length: 460 pages. Swearing language: moderate to strong, including religious swear words but rarely used. Sexual language: mild. Number of sex scenes: about 8. Setting: around 1988-1989 mostly Door county, Wisconsin with a little Seattle, Washington. Copyright: 1990. Genre: contemporary romance, divorce.
January 29, 2013
Ilike most of Ms Spencer's books.This left me sad and very disappointed. Her writing is superb but I didn't like the story. Adultery is wrong. No matter how sweet and kind Maggie was, what she did was wrong. I don't like stories that promote and glorify adultery. Marriage no matter how difficult and unrewarding it might turn out, vows still need to be cherished and followed. Eric might have been one good looking dude but he was a selfish jackass. Morning Glory and Small Town Girl are still my favs...
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 21, 2022
Not safe, you'll find different triggers throughout the review.
This is quite dated--more of a snapshot in time to 1988/89--almost historical as it feels like a different time and place.
The heroine is a 40 year old widow, the hero is her married high school boyfriend (yes, he's still married). The heroine is a bit lost after losing her husband unexpectedly and her daughter leaving for college. The hero is in a troubled marriage with a "career" woman, while he wants to settle down and finally have a family, she does not.
After a suicide attempt by a member/friend in her grief group, she's convinced by her high school friends it's time to go home. Though home is equally stressful, her mother is an absolute shrew and her daughter wants no part of Door County, Wisconsin. Once home she connects with her high school sweetheart and love gradually starts to bloom between them again, problem? The pesky career woman wife--the one that wants no part of being a family, but does like the weekend sex she has with her husband. She's obviously the antagonist of the story.
Here's why it's a snapshot in time: This was a time where women were really starting to find themselves in careers. She's on the road 5 days a week in corporate sales to high end department stores--she loves her job. But ultimately, she's the villain of the story. She loves her career, hates the thought of having a family and has no problem cheating on her husband with ONSs. He has no clue. Trusts her completely when he shouldn't. He trusts that she will eventually want a family, but they are running out of time and he finds himself reconnecting with the heroine. As a reader, I wasn't horrified by this, as I already knew the wife was cheating and lying to him. We're supposed to hate her, that's why it's dated. She's an evil, lying, career woman. There's no thought that husbands and wives can work together to raise a family, it's very much pushing the either or scenario.
So, now he has filed for divorce, the heroine is pregnant, they desperately want to marry, but again the pesky wife thing. The wife knows he's cheating and finds out the heroine is pregnant and fakes being pregnant too, now the husband feels forced back with the evil wife--again he completely trusts her. He abandons the heroine for his wife, who then has a very convenient miscarriage while she's on the road. He's miserable, the heroine is heartbroken, the wife thinks she's winning him back, but no. Now, she comes up with the idea of sharing responsibility for taking care of a child, maybe she would be willing to get pregnant, but he's done with her and has lost his true love too. He's a miserable cheater stuck between responsibility and love.
Enter the hero's mother, she knows the wife for who she really is and confronts him on the day the heroine has their baby. Tells him there's no way she was pregnant and she's manipulating you to stay. She tells him basically 'get your head out of your ass,' refile for divorce and don't show up on the heroine's doorstep until you have the divorce papers in hand.
Now he confronts the wife, and she stonewalls him, but he knows she was faking the pregnancy and miscarriage. He starts going through her personal files and realizes, holy crap, she had an abortion in 1986--when he was begging for a family. He had no clue. And, that's that. Six months later he shows up on the heroine's doorstep with his divorce papers and they marry a week later.
Adding to the drama is the heroines relationship with her mother--my god, she's a horrible shrew. Made her and her father's lives miserable for years, and the heroine's daughter is fast becoming just like grandma--very judgmental and out right cruel. But, the heroine's dad is amazing and loving, goes with her to Lamaze and is with her when she delivers her new baby girl. And, in the end leaves his wife of 40+ years, so he can find some measure of happiness in his retirement. Heads off to lecture his granddaughter about not being like grandma.
And we have a happily ever after for everyone but the evil career woman wife and the shrew of a mother--it's karma, back when we didn't really discuss karma.
The end.
Lots of triggers: death of a spouse, cheating, miscarriage, abortion etc.
4 LaVyrle Spencer could tell quite a story stars. (I'm vacillating between 3 and 4 stars--tomorrow it may be 3)
This is quite dated--more of a snapshot in time to 1988/89--almost historical as it feels like a different time and place.
The heroine is a 40 year old widow, the hero is her married high school boyfriend (yes, he's still married). The heroine is a bit lost after losing her husband unexpectedly and her daughter leaving for college. The hero is in a troubled marriage with a "career" woman, while he wants to settle down and finally have a family, she does not.
After a suicide attempt by a member/friend in her grief group, she's convinced by her high school friends it's time to go home. Though home is equally stressful, her mother is an absolute shrew and her daughter wants no part of Door County, Wisconsin. Once home she connects with her high school sweetheart and love gradually starts to bloom between them again, problem? The pesky career woman wife--the one that wants no part of being a family, but does like the weekend sex she has with her husband. She's obviously the antagonist of the story.
Here's why it's a snapshot in time: This was a time where women were really starting to find themselves in careers. She's on the road 5 days a week in corporate sales to high end department stores--she loves her job. But ultimately, she's the villain of the story. She loves her career, hates the thought of having a family and has no problem cheating on her husband with ONSs. He has no clue. Trusts her completely when he shouldn't. He trusts that she will eventually want a family, but they are running out of time and he finds himself reconnecting with the heroine. As a reader, I wasn't horrified by this, as I already knew the wife was cheating and lying to him. We're supposed to hate her, that's why it's dated. She's an evil, lying, career woman. There's no thought that husbands and wives can work together to raise a family, it's very much pushing the either or scenario.
So, now he has filed for divorce, the heroine is pregnant, they desperately want to marry, but again the pesky wife thing. The wife knows he's cheating and finds out the heroine is pregnant and fakes being pregnant too, now the husband feels forced back with the evil wife--again he completely trusts her. He abandons the heroine for his wife, who then has a very convenient miscarriage while she's on the road. He's miserable, the heroine is heartbroken, the wife thinks she's winning him back, but no. Now, she comes up with the idea of sharing responsibility for taking care of a child, maybe she would be willing to get pregnant, but he's done with her and has lost his true love too. He's a miserable cheater stuck between responsibility and love.
Enter the hero's mother, she knows the wife for who she really is and confronts him on the day the heroine has their baby. Tells him there's no way she was pregnant and she's manipulating you to stay. She tells him basically 'get your head out of your ass,' refile for divorce and don't show up on the heroine's doorstep until you have the divorce papers in hand.
Now he confronts the wife, and she stonewalls him, but he knows she was faking the pregnancy and miscarriage. He starts going through her personal files and realizes, holy crap, she had an abortion in 1986--when he was begging for a family. He had no clue. And, that's that. Six months later he shows up on the heroine's doorstep with his divorce papers and they marry a week later.
Adding to the drama is the heroines relationship with her mother--my god, she's a horrible shrew. Made her and her father's lives miserable for years, and the heroine's daughter is fast becoming just like grandma--very judgmental and out right cruel. But, the heroine's dad is amazing and loving, goes with her to Lamaze and is with her when she delivers her new baby girl. And, in the end leaves his wife of 40+ years, so he can find some measure of happiness in his retirement. Heads off to lecture his granddaughter about not being like grandma.
And we have a happily ever after for everyone but the evil career woman wife and the shrew of a mother--it's karma, back when we didn't really discuss karma.
The end.
Lots of triggers: death of a spouse, cheating, miscarriage, abortion etc.
4 LaVyrle Spencer could tell quite a story stars. (I'm vacillating between 3 and 4 stars--tomorrow it may be 3)
October 27, 2015
Since her husband passed away a year ago and her daughter left for college, Maggie Pearson decides to move back to her hometown and open a Bed and Breakfast. Shortly after she arrives, Maggie sees her high school sweetheart Eric Severson. Eric offers to help Maggie get the permits she will need to open her business. They both soon realize they are drawn to each other and know they should keep their distance. Eric is married to the beautiful and ambitious Nancy. He wants a child but Nancy doesn't agree. As Eric and his wife deal with their problems, Maggie must put up with a difficult daughter and a mother who never gives Maggie her approval.
I don't like love triangles. I don't like adultery in my romance books. And I certainly don't like heroes to make some very blockhead decisions. But for some reason I was thoroughly entertained by this book. LaVyrle Spencer is one of my favorite authors. I'm beginning to think she can take any subject matter and make it entertaining. I really like Maggie and how she handled the situation. I liked Eric...even though I wanted to shoot him a couple of times. This story was predictable, but I was still entertained. My rating: 3.5 Stars.
I don't like love triangles. I don't like adultery in my romance books. And I certainly don't like heroes to make some very blockhead decisions. But for some reason I was thoroughly entertained by this book. LaVyrle Spencer is one of my favorite authors. I'm beginning to think she can take any subject matter and make it entertaining. I really like Maggie and how she handled the situation. I liked Eric...even though I wanted to shoot him a couple of times. This story was predictable, but I was still entertained. My rating: 3.5 Stars.
August 21, 2012
I love LaVyrle, but this isn't one of my favorites. I feel that sometimes she leans a bit too heavily on predefined gender roles.
July 31, 2012
Like 'Years', this was the only other book of hers I couldn't finish. As soon as I realised where this novel was headed it was the beginning of the end for me.
October 15, 2013
I was constantly annoyed with this book---infidelity, spousal rape, and a pathetic heroine. I'm not really sure why I kept reading--maybe I hoped they'd all fall in the lake.
May 7, 2024
The heroine is a veritable loser. I, like her teenage daughter and harpy of a mother, am em-bah-rassed for this forty-year-old lady.
She traipses back into her hometown in a bid to recover fully from her grief, falls in love with her first love (goodness knows why they even broke up in the first place), selfishly decides to enter into an affair with a married man. And of course, anyone who tells her no is a big bad meanie who doesn't care for her happiness. I'm disappointed because she did not start off this way. I was excited to read about a widow's journey to happiness, but all I got was a selfish homewrecker with severe mommy issues.
What made this worse was the horrid hero. It's understandable that he was deeply unhappy because his wife refuses to have a baby. But when things got messy () it became clear how he views women. As baby incubators that you can easily fall in and out of love with. Who cares about marriage vows. Absolutely dehumanising and disgusting.
The moral of this story was: who cares about the consequences if you're pursuing YOUR happiness. It's all about you, you and you. Who cares about your obligations and role in your family and society. If anyone who had more justification for breaking away from his mind-numbing misery, it's This is just another story about the self-delusion of an unbridled pursuit of happiness.
She traipses back into her hometown in a bid to recover fully from her grief, falls in love with her first love (goodness knows why they even broke up in the first place), selfishly decides to enter into an affair with a married man. And of course, anyone who tells her no is a big bad meanie who doesn't care for her happiness. I'm disappointed because she did not start off this way. I was excited to read about a widow's journey to happiness, but all I got was a selfish homewrecker with severe mommy issues.
What made this worse was the horrid hero. It's understandable that he was deeply unhappy because his wife refuses to have a baby. But when things got messy () it became clear how he views women. As baby incubators that you can easily fall in and out of love with. Who cares about marriage vows. Absolutely dehumanising and disgusting.
The moral of this story was: who cares about the consequences if you're pursuing YOUR happiness. It's all about you, you and you. Who cares about your obligations and role in your family and society. If anyone who had more justification for breaking away from his mind-numbing misery, it's This is just another story about the self-delusion of an unbridled pursuit of happiness.
January 12, 2011
The hero is married to someone other than the heroine (she knows about his wife). They have an affair anyway. I am not okay with that. The fact that they had a history together doesn't make it okay. The only reason I finished this book was because it was written by LaVryle Spencer.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 5, 2015
Ha sido una eternidad terminar el libro, por falta de tiempo y porque también es una lectura lenta, en un principio puede resultar aburrida, pero es solo una forma distinta de escribir, realmente agradezco haber guardado paciencia y continuar, porque el desenlace es precioso.
Did Not Finish
June 15, 2020I got about halfway through and I was enjoying myself. But then the H and h engaged in physical cheating (sex) to further their relationship and put the cherry on top of the emotional cheating they were already doing. The H is unhappily married and the h is a widow. I figured he'd be divorced before things went that far - that is not the case. I'm sorry but I cannot stand cheating, especially when it's romanticized. Instant DNF and I'm mad I wasted so much time reading it. Thank God I only paid two dollars for this book. Not that the H's wife was great either, her inner monologue revealed she'd been cheating on him through one night stands over the years while traveling for her job. Basically everyone involved is too lazy to end what's not working and selfish enough to start something new without resolving what they're already in the middle of - no thanks. Peace out.
August 4, 2011
This was a sweet romance that is all about Maggie's "what if" guy - her first love. Nothing can be that simple though. The story made complex by his marriage, her disfunctional relationship with her mother, and her daughter's growing disapproval of all the changes Maggie is making.
My main problem with this story is the non-chalance stance of adultery. The characters give it minimal thought, justifying it with their history, and the existing discord in the marriage. My feeling is that if the marriage was that bad, there should have been a separation. Then it may have been technically still been an affair since there was no divorce, but it wasn't actively cheating on a spouse.
Overall, this was a good beach read for someone looking for a simple love story.
My main problem with this story is the non-chalance stance of adultery. The characters give it minimal thought, justifying it with their history, and the existing discord in the marriage. My feeling is that if the marriage was that bad, there should have been a separation. Then it may have been technically still been an affair since there was no divorce, but it wasn't actively cheating on a spouse.
Overall, this was a good beach read for someone looking for a simple love story.
May 29, 2019
The audio book was torture. Didn't like the narrator's voice one bit, annoyed the s%&t out of me. Story was just ok and I didn't like the cheater vibe. Life's too short to read books that don't do it for me, so I'm going to put this one to bed and that's where it'll stay.
June 4, 2014
Há momentos de cartase em nossas vidas. Alguns deles são frutos de circunstâncias sobre as quais não temos qualquer ingerência, outros dependem necessariamente de uma atitude nossa para que as mudanças ocorram, mas não é por isto que as consequências advindas de nossas ações podem ser controladas, às vezes elas são amargas, às vezes elas são doces...
Bitter Sweet trata sobre isto. Sobre mudanças, sobre recomeços, sobre segundas oportunidades. Uma história linda, humana, que mostra os dois lados do amor.
A heroína Maggie Pearson ficou viúva precocemente e de forma trágica. De repente, seu casamento feliz se desfez e a sua filha de dezessete anos está saindo de casa para ir à univerdade. A solidão e a sensação de perda é inevitável.
O herói Eric Severson retornou há alguns anos à sua cidade natal para integrar os negócios da família após a morte de seu pai. Ele largou um diploma universitário para se dedicar à próspera atividade da pesca turística e fazer o que mais amava. Consigo ele trouxe uma esposa e um casamento sob uma faixada de felicidade prestes a ruir.
Maggie é orientada pelo seu psiquiatra a manter contato com seus antigos amigos com o objetivo de afastar uma possível depressão. Assim, ao telefonar para uma amiga, desencadeia-se uma série de reencontros com pessoas do seu passado, entre elas, Eric, seu primeiro amor. Logo Maggie está de retorno à sua cidade, em confronto com a sua mãe, e também envolta em uma série de lembranças. De repente, com ajuda das pessoas certas, ela decide fixar moradia no lugar, abrir uma pousada e ali dar um novo impulso à sua vida, no entanto Eric não estava em seus planos...
Eric e Maggie lutam bravamente contra os sentimentos que os dominam, mas a atração é muito forte, o amor volta com tudo. Ambos estão cientes de que o amor é proibido, mas como dominar algo que parece ter vida própria?
As decisões são tomadas e os resultados nem sempre são felizes. Maggie e Eric terão que enfrentar muitos obstáculos, mentiras, desilusões, perdas, para só assim vislumbrarem o lado doce da felicidade.
Achei tocante a abordagem sobre os anseios lançados sobre o casamento e o quanto deles são produtos de nossa imaginação. De igual forma, as relações familiares, especialmente entre mãe e filha, são confrontadas de uma forma realística, e deixa um considerável aperto no peito.
Certamente um livro imperdível. Recomendo com louvor.
Bitter Sweet trata sobre isto. Sobre mudanças, sobre recomeços, sobre segundas oportunidades. Uma história linda, humana, que mostra os dois lados do amor.
A heroína Maggie Pearson ficou viúva precocemente e de forma trágica. De repente, seu casamento feliz se desfez e a sua filha de dezessete anos está saindo de casa para ir à univerdade. A solidão e a sensação de perda é inevitável.
O herói Eric Severson retornou há alguns anos à sua cidade natal para integrar os negócios da família após a morte de seu pai. Ele largou um diploma universitário para se dedicar à próspera atividade da pesca turística e fazer o que mais amava. Consigo ele trouxe uma esposa e um casamento sob uma faixada de felicidade prestes a ruir.
Maggie é orientada pelo seu psiquiatra a manter contato com seus antigos amigos com o objetivo de afastar uma possível depressão. Assim, ao telefonar para uma amiga, desencadeia-se uma série de reencontros com pessoas do seu passado, entre elas, Eric, seu primeiro amor. Logo Maggie está de retorno à sua cidade, em confronto com a sua mãe, e também envolta em uma série de lembranças. De repente, com ajuda das pessoas certas, ela decide fixar moradia no lugar, abrir uma pousada e ali dar um novo impulso à sua vida, no entanto Eric não estava em seus planos...
Eric e Maggie lutam bravamente contra os sentimentos que os dominam, mas a atração é muito forte, o amor volta com tudo. Ambos estão cientes de que o amor é proibido, mas como dominar algo que parece ter vida própria?
As decisões são tomadas e os resultados nem sempre são felizes. Maggie e Eric terão que enfrentar muitos obstáculos, mentiras, desilusões, perdas, para só assim vislumbrarem o lado doce da felicidade.
Achei tocante a abordagem sobre os anseios lançados sobre o casamento e o quanto deles são produtos de nossa imaginação. De igual forma, as relações familiares, especialmente entre mãe e filha, são confrontadas de uma forma realística, e deixa um considerável aperto no peito.
Certamente um livro imperdível. Recomendo com louvor.
July 6, 2013
LaVyrle Spencer knows how to write an enjoyable romance starring interesting characters - I've read many of her books and in each one, she attempts to develop a love story around a unique set of circumstances that allow her books to stand alone. I prefer her historical romances over her contemporary stories. Bitter Sweet was published in 1990 and the novel is set in Wisconsin around that time. It involves a woman who returns to her hometown about a year after the sudden death of her beloved husband in a plane crash. Maggie Stearn is made of strong stuff: she's an only child raised by a loving dad and a cold, critical mother; in turn she has an only daughter, who she loves very much, but doesn't treat very sensitively when she uproots her daughter's childhood home in Seattle without much discussion and removes to Wisconsin. (Katy meanwhile had just started her freshman year at Northwestern University.) Back home, Maggie buys a beautiful old house, which she turns into a bed & breakfast business, and reconnects with many of her high school buddies, including her first love, Eric Severson. Feelings between them rekindle immediately - Maggie is alone and lonely, while Eric is married to a dedicated career woman with whom he shares a life that has fallen into a dull routine and, more importantly, is based on different values: he desperately wants children, while his wife, Nancy, is totally opposed. Bitter Sweet takes Maggie and Eric and these other characters on a tough journey that challenges their relationships through their character flaws, values and how they cope with what life throws in their path.
September 24, 2012
Ahh, the book that started it all for me. I read this book in 7th grade. Yes, you read that correctly, 7th grade. Totally inappropriate for a 12 year old, but it's the book that made me realize that I actually liked reading. This book is a total package for me. The characters feel real, and it's got a great story to go with the steamy love scenes. I've actually read this book several times. It really is that good for me.
November 18, 2009
Dump your current wife (okay, yeah, except for sex - they didn't have anything in common any more)... for your high school, widowed ex-girl friend... who just happens to get pregnant (you've wanted a baby and your wife won't agree to it)... has a million dollars (yes - the life insurance)... and is as beautiful as she was in high school...
perhaps more fantasy than romance... hmmmmm
perhaps more fantasy than romance... hmmmmm
Read
September 26, 2024I'm going to go ahead and not rate this because it was truly not my cup of tea.... like AT ALL. 😅
I disliked all the characters. I disliked the story. I disliked just about everything about this. The cheating (while married), the lying (saying your pregnant to try to save your marriage?), the relationships (any/all of the characters [especiallythe bratty a$$ daughter and b*tch mother]), the pace... you name it, I didn't like it. 😂
I only chose this book bc it covered my 'USA States Wisconsin' challenge.
🙅🏼♀️ going to go ahead and ban myself from reading this author again in the future. 😵
I disliked all the characters. I disliked the story. I disliked just about everything about this. The cheating (while married), the lying (saying your pregnant to try to save your marriage?), the relationships (any/all of the characters [especiallythe bratty a$$ daughter and b*tch mother]), the pace... you name it, I didn't like it. 😂
I only chose this book bc it covered my 'USA States Wisconsin' challenge.
🙅🏼♀️ going to go ahead and ban myself from reading this author again in the future. 😵
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 20, 2023
Es una historia que actualmente pierde parte del significado, pero que supongo que en su época fue impactante.
La infidelidad, el divorcio y el embarazo fuera del matrimonio ya no son un tabú hoy en día.
Mantener una pareja que ya no va en la misma dirección o apostar a algo nuevo y el amor después del duelo, son algún de los temas.
La historia es bonita, dramática como novelón de la tarde, pero con esa forma de escribir realista y maravillosa de Lavryle Spencer, sus protagonistas se equivocan, sufren y la pasan mal. Para que después de tanta amargura el final sea aún más dulce.
La infidelidad, el divorcio y el embarazo fuera del matrimonio ya no son un tabú hoy en día.
Mantener una pareja que ya no va en la misma dirección o apostar a algo nuevo y el amor después del duelo, son algún de los temas.
La historia es bonita, dramática como novelón de la tarde, pero con esa forma de escribir realista y maravillosa de Lavryle Spencer, sus protagonistas se equivocan, sufren y la pasan mal. Para que después de tanta amargura el final sea aún más dulce.
December 12, 2021
Went in blind and DNF after almost 7%, the plot was awful and the story was very slow.
July 16, 2011
I have always enjoyed LaVyrle Spencer's novels, but, I find myself at odds with this book. I guess I would have to say the first thing I am at odds with is the subject matter. And the second thing I am at odds with in this book is...It was flooded with what I call "artistic information" or "filler" words that took up so, so much of the story. This is a paperback book, 460 pages, and the print isn't very large. I'm sure it could have been written and contained a lot fewer pages. (between 250 & 300 pages) However, I'm sure some readers like the "artistic information" though.
An example...page 297.
"They drove south, to Newport State Park, and along the shoreline of Rowley's Bay where the harbor appeared as a jigsaw puzzle of ice, the beach a crescent of white. Swells of windrows, which eventually fell beneath their own weight,, and cracked into great sheets that shifted back and forth, the cracks enlarging to ponds where goldeneyes, mergansers and buffleheads consorted. The ice hit upon itself and chimed in the empty bay. White-winged scoters swam along the ice-edge and dove for food beneath the glass. From the distance came a garbled yodel. "O-oaowa-wa-wa." A flock of birds lifted from the water, their long, thin tails trailing behind like giant stingers--old squaws, summer residents of the Arctic Circle on southern holiday in Door County....."
It went on somewhat like that for a page and a half. I had to regroup to figure out what happened before all the "artistic information" began.
All-in-all it was a "Bitter Sweet" story, but not my cup of hot green tea with a spoon of sugar, and a few drops of cream, from a china creamer with pink roses on the sides. I decided to award this book 3 "Bitter Sweet" chocolate stars.
This book is a part of my personal library, I found it at a second hand bookstore. Ms. Spencer retired from writing in 1997, I think.
May 13, 2013
Hmmmm, this is an older book. So, the social conventions that are reflected here are not necessarily what you would expect today.
I must say, I do't care for adultery themes, ever. To me there is no real justification for the lying, deciet and pain that comes with adultery.
Having said that, Ms. Spencer did well with her character development and the pace of the book was spot on. I did not put this book down but one time from when I began to read it.
I had a real problem with a father not seeing his child at all for six months. I did not feel that there was any good excuse for that.
THe issues that Maggie had with her mother felt real and believable. I loved her Dad.
Overall the people felt like people I could know, I really enjoy that in a book.
Some will feel that Nancy was a bit of a caricature, I didn't we have all known manipulative people and that can include women. I'm left feeling that this was a well written book and I wish I could feel happier for Maggie and Eric but eh...
I must say, I do't care for adultery themes, ever. To me there is no real justification for the lying, deciet and pain that comes with adultery.
Having said that, Ms. Spencer did well with her character development and the pace of the book was spot on. I did not put this book down but one time from when I began to read it.
I had a real problem with a father not seeing his child at all for six months. I did not feel that there was any good excuse for that.
THe issues that Maggie had with her mother felt real and believable. I loved her Dad.
Overall the people felt like people I could know, I really enjoy that in a book.
Some will feel that Nancy was a bit of a caricature, I didn't we have all known manipulative people and that can include women. I'm left feeling that this was a well written book and I wish I could feel happier for Maggie and Eric but eh...
May 28, 2014
3.5 stars
Re-read for the first time in years and crazy how much difference there is reading this as an older adult and being so disappointed this time around in Eric and everything he does. Especially the last 6 months after he makes his promise to Anna, I still don't understand why he couldn't call or write Maggie to let her know what was happening?
My favorite character is still Maggie's father Roy, and while I am elated that he gets his own happy ending, I always wish we could've gotten a little more insight into how/where he ends up.
Regardless, LaVyrle Spencer writes great mid-americana romances with real everyday people and events and is able to evoke a lot of emotion while reading (in this case a lot of frustration lol).
Re-read for the first time in years and crazy how much difference there is reading this as an older adult and being so disappointed this time around in Eric and everything he does. Especially the last 6 months after he makes his promise to Anna, I still don't understand why he couldn't call or write Maggie to let her know what was happening?
My favorite character is still Maggie's father Roy, and while I am elated that he gets his own happy ending, I always wish we could've gotten a little more insight into how/where he ends up.
Regardless, LaVyrle Spencer writes great mid-americana romances with real everyday people and events and is able to evoke a lot of emotion while reading (in this case a lot of frustration lol).
July 25, 2015
Wonderful romance. Maggie Pearson, following the death of her husband, leaves Seattle and returns to her home town of Fish Creek, WI. Her friends and her dad welcome her with open arms. Her mom is still the same bitter woman she always was finding only fault in everything about her. Maggie also faces some conflict with her college age daughter who resents the move away from Seattle.
Maggie buys an old house and makes it into a bed and breakfast and in the process reunites with Eric Severson, her old high school boyfriend. Only problem is Eric is married.
Everything compounds from there. It keeps you turning pages until the (naturally) happy ending.
Maggie buys an old house and makes it into a bed and breakfast and in the process reunites with Eric Severson, her old high school boyfriend. Only problem is Eric is married.
Everything compounds from there. It keeps you turning pages until the (naturally) happy ending.
March 1, 2008
The setting of this book was the reason I read it. It takes place in Door County, Wisconsin. I have many memories of times spent there, so reading this book was a nice trip back (without the 4 hour drive). I enjoyed the story. It was definitely a chick book. Romance...deception...secrets....affairs...but ultimately, a story worht reading.
January 17, 2012
I like that the book takes place in Wisconsin, but the premise of one of the love interests being married really got to me. I think it's wrong to cheat, no matter what. Had they both been single I would have given another star or two.
April 15, 2018
Disfruto de la novela romantica y esta escritora me gusta mucho, más cuando hace romance histórico, esta novela se lee a gusto, prefiero la primera mitad, porque llegó un punto en que el protagonista me cayó gordo, hubo cosas que no me gustaron pero estuvo entretenida.
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