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Warm Hearts
Heat Wave
It’s a steamy summer night in Georgetown, and Caroline Cooper is feeling the heat—in more ways than one. Her job, her family, her love life: everything’s reached a boiling point and Caroline needs to cool off. But when she opens her apartment window for air, she finds herself staring at one very hot neighbor on the fire escape across the courtyard. He’s tall, dark, handsome—and as scantily clad as she is. With fifty feet of night separating them, it’s fun to fantasize. But when she finally meets Brendon up-close…that’s when things really heat up.
A SPECIAL SOMETHINGShe’s seen him in magazines. Impossibly good-looking.Jaw-droppingly sexy. He’s the most stunning male model Leslie has ever seen. So when her wealthy brother asks what she wants for her birthday, Leslie points to the man in the ad and says, “him.” Kidding, of course. But the joke is on her when she shows up at her brother’s villa and finds him. Her fantasy man. In the flesh. Hired to keep Leslie company on an island retreat, Oliver Ames is nothing like the picture-perfect model she imagined. He’s better. Because he’s real—and he’s really falling for her…
It’s a steamy summer night in Georgetown, and Caroline Cooper is feeling the heat—in more ways than one. Her job, her family, her love life: everything’s reached a boiling point and Caroline needs to cool off. But when she opens her apartment window for air, she finds herself staring at one very hot neighbor on the fire escape across the courtyard. He’s tall, dark, handsome—and as scantily clad as she is. With fifty feet of night separating them, it’s fun to fantasize. But when she finally meets Brendon up-close…that’s when things really heat up.
A SPECIAL SOMETHINGShe’s seen him in magazines. Impossibly good-looking.Jaw-droppingly sexy. He’s the most stunning male model Leslie has ever seen. So when her wealthy brother asks what she wants for her birthday, Leslie points to the man in the ad and says, “him.” Kidding, of course. But the joke is on her when she shows up at her brother’s villa and finds him. Her fantasy man. In the flesh. Hired to keep Leslie company on an island retreat, Oliver Ames is nothing like the picture-perfect model she imagined. He’s better. Because he’s real—and he’s really falling for her…
400 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published September 25, 2012
62 people are currently reading
464 people want to read
About the author
Barbara Delinsky
307 books4,356 followersI was born and raised in suburban Boston. My mother’s death, when I was eight, was the defining event of a childhood that was otherwise ordinary. I took piano lessons and flute lessons. I took ballroom dancing lessons. I went to summer camp through my fifteenth year (in Maine, which explains the setting of so many of my stories), then spent my sixteenth summer learning to type and to drive (two skills that have served me better than all of my other high school courses combined). I earned a B.A. in Psychology at Tufts University and an M.A. in Sociology at Boston College. The motivation behind the M.A. was sheer greed. My husband was just starting law school. We needed the money.
Following graduate school, I worked as a researcher with the Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children, and as a photographer and reporter for the Belmont Herald. I did the newspaper work after my first son was born. Since I was heavily into taking pictures of him, I worked for the paper to support that habit. Initially, I wrote only in a secondary capacity, to provide copy for the pictures I took. In time, I realized that I was better at writing than photography. I used both skills doing volunteer work for hospital groups, and have served on the Board of Directors of the Friends of the Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center and on the MGH’s Women’s Cancer Advisory Board.
I became an actual writer by fluke. My twins were four when, by chance, I happened on a newspaper article profiling three female writers. Intrigued, I spent three months researching, plotting, and writing my own book - and it sold.
My niche? I write about the emotional crises that we face in our lives. Readers identify with my characters. They know them. They are them. I'm an everyday woman writing about everyday people facing not-so-everyday challenges.
My novels are character-driven studies of marriage, parenthood, sibling rivalry, and friendship, and I’ve been blessed in having readers who buy them eagerly enough to put them on the major bestseller lists. One of my latest, Sweet Salt Air, came out in 2013. Blueprints, my second novel with St. Martin’s Press, became my 22nd New York Times bestselling novel soon after its release in June 2015. Making Up, my work in progress, will be published in 2018.
2018? Yikes. I didn’t think I’d live that long. I thought I’d die of breast cancer back in the 1900's, like my mom. But I didn’t. I was diagnosed nearly twenty years ago, had surgery and treatment, and here I am, stronger than ever and loving having authored yet another book, this one the non-fiction Uplift: Secrets From the Sisterhood of Breast Cancer Survivors. First published in 2001, Uplift is a handbook of practical tips and upbeat anecdotes that I compiled with the help of 350 breast cancer survivors, their families and friends. These survivors just ... blew me away! They gave me the book that I wish I’d had way back when I was diagnosed. There is no medical information here, nothing frightening, simply practical advice from friends who’ve had breast cancer. The 10th Anniversary Volume of Uplift is now in print. And the money I’ve made on the book? Every cent has gone to my charitable foundation, which funds an ongoing research fellowship at Massachusetts General Hospital.
Connect with me on Facebook: facebook.com/bdelinsky
Look for my photos on Instagram: instagram.com/barbaradelinsky
Following graduate school, I worked as a researcher with the Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children, and as a photographer and reporter for the Belmont Herald. I did the newspaper work after my first son was born. Since I was heavily into taking pictures of him, I worked for the paper to support that habit. Initially, I wrote only in a secondary capacity, to provide copy for the pictures I took. In time, I realized that I was better at writing than photography. I used both skills doing volunteer work for hospital groups, and have served on the Board of Directors of the Friends of the Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center and on the MGH’s Women’s Cancer Advisory Board.
I became an actual writer by fluke. My twins were four when, by chance, I happened on a newspaper article profiling three female writers. Intrigued, I spent three months researching, plotting, and writing my own book - and it sold.
My niche? I write about the emotional crises that we face in our lives. Readers identify with my characters. They know them. They are them. I'm an everyday woman writing about everyday people facing not-so-everyday challenges.
My novels are character-driven studies of marriage, parenthood, sibling rivalry, and friendship, and I’ve been blessed in having readers who buy them eagerly enough to put them on the major bestseller lists. One of my latest, Sweet Salt Air, came out in 2013. Blueprints, my second novel with St. Martin’s Press, became my 22nd New York Times bestselling novel soon after its release in June 2015. Making Up, my work in progress, will be published in 2018.
2018? Yikes. I didn’t think I’d live that long. I thought I’d die of breast cancer back in the 1900's, like my mom. But I didn’t. I was diagnosed nearly twenty years ago, had surgery and treatment, and here I am, stronger than ever and loving having authored yet another book, this one the non-fiction Uplift: Secrets From the Sisterhood of Breast Cancer Survivors. First published in 2001, Uplift is a handbook of practical tips and upbeat anecdotes that I compiled with the help of 350 breast cancer survivors, their families and friends. These survivors just ... blew me away! They gave me the book that I wish I’d had way back when I was diagnosed. There is no medical information here, nothing frightening, simply practical advice from friends who’ve had breast cancer. The 10th Anniversary Volume of Uplift is now in print. And the money I’ve made on the book? Every cent has gone to my charitable foundation, which funds an ongoing research fellowship at Massachusetts General Hospital.
Connect with me on Facebook: facebook.com/bdelinsky
Look for my photos on Instagram: instagram.com/barbaradelinsky
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
January 27, 2015
so glad Barbara Delinsky learned how to write after she wrote these two stories.
February 9, 2013
Reviewer: Crystal
Source: Publisher
Crystal's review was first posted at Romancing the Book's blog.
I choose to read Warm Hearts by Barbara Delinsky because I've loved her work for years. Warm Hearts contains two re-releases of older works.
I had originally read the first story HEAT WAVE several years ago. I enjoyed reading Caroline & Brendon's story again. Granted there are a few things that are missing for this day and age. The one major thing I think you notice is the absence of cell phones. However the romance is romance and hasn't changed much since this book was wrote in the 1980′s.
Caroline & Brendon don't start out with a traditional relationship. They start out day dreaming about each other through their window. Once they actually meet in person things get HOT quickly. Caroline has a lot on her plate not only is she a family therapist professionally, her family counts on her to be their personal family therapist as well. She's not sure she is ready to take on a relationship or at least a serious relationship at this point in her life.
Heat Wave was a fun fantasy romance. I enjoyed the aspect of day dreaming about someone & then meeting them and finding they are even better in person then you originally thought.
I had not had the pleasure of reading A SPECIAL SOMETHING before, which is the second story and also a re-release. Leslie arrives at the family villa in St. Barts to spend her birthday. What she finds when she gets there is the hunk she has been day dreaming about from a magazine ad, Oliver Ames. She never expected her brother to get her what she told him she wanted for her birthday. But here he is & now what is she going to do with them. Leslie isn't into sleeping around and really isn't sure how to handle the situation. Oliver is happy to explore the island and give Leslie some space.
Sparks are not a problem with these two, knowing for sure how to handle them is. I enjoyed watching these two kind of dance around each other not knowing for sure how to handle what they were feeling. It was fun watching them get to know each other and forming a relationship they didn't intend to form. I glad Leslie & Oliver's story was included in this re-release I really enjoyed it.
I really enjoyed both of these stories and I would recommend this book if you are a Barbara Delinksy fan like I am. If you don't enjoy taking a step back in time and reading a story that wrote in the late 1980′s then you probably will not enjoy this story. If you are looking to read some of Ms. Delinksy's earlier work then this is a great opportunity for you.
Source: Publisher
Crystal's review was first posted at Romancing the Book's blog.
I choose to read Warm Hearts by Barbara Delinsky because I've loved her work for years. Warm Hearts contains two re-releases of older works.
I had originally read the first story HEAT WAVE several years ago. I enjoyed reading Caroline & Brendon's story again. Granted there are a few things that are missing for this day and age. The one major thing I think you notice is the absence of cell phones. However the romance is romance and hasn't changed much since this book was wrote in the 1980′s.
Caroline & Brendon don't start out with a traditional relationship. They start out day dreaming about each other through their window. Once they actually meet in person things get HOT quickly. Caroline has a lot on her plate not only is she a family therapist professionally, her family counts on her to be their personal family therapist as well. She's not sure she is ready to take on a relationship or at least a serious relationship at this point in her life.
Heat Wave was a fun fantasy romance. I enjoyed the aspect of day dreaming about someone & then meeting them and finding they are even better in person then you originally thought.
I had not had the pleasure of reading A SPECIAL SOMETHING before, which is the second story and also a re-release. Leslie arrives at the family villa in St. Barts to spend her birthday. What she finds when she gets there is the hunk she has been day dreaming about from a magazine ad, Oliver Ames. She never expected her brother to get her what she told him she wanted for her birthday. But here he is & now what is she going to do with them. Leslie isn't into sleeping around and really isn't sure how to handle the situation. Oliver is happy to explore the island and give Leslie some space.
Sparks are not a problem with these two, knowing for sure how to handle them is. I enjoyed watching these two kind of dance around each other not knowing for sure how to handle what they were feeling. It was fun watching them get to know each other and forming a relationship they didn't intend to form. I glad Leslie & Oliver's story was included in this re-release I really enjoyed it.
I really enjoyed both of these stories and I would recommend this book if you are a Barbara Delinksy fan like I am. If you don't enjoy taking a step back in time and reading a story that wrote in the late 1980′s then you probably will not enjoy this story. If you are looking to read some of Ms. Delinksy's earlier work then this is a great opportunity for you.
December 12, 2012
This book is misleading. It was published in 2012 but the (two) stories were written in the 80's. The problem is that they were 1980's situations, completely outdated. I bet this book would have stroke a cord with 1980's women as they were struggling to find their place in the workforce and were seeking romance romances that weren't bodice rippers, yet still wanted their heroes to just "save" the women.
August 23, 2022
This was a book with 2 short stories which were romances and read like a Hallmark movie. I had grabbed this paperback to take with me on vacation without realizing the genre. Not my usual genre so I skimmed some and read some to finish each story.
May 13, 2013
I just love Barbara Delinsky's writing.
August 24, 2019
So predictable
You can certainly tell this is an “early” Delinsky book. Wanted something mindless & a quick read. It was too predictable even for those requirements.
You can certainly tell this is an “early” Delinsky book. Wanted something mindless & a quick read. It was too predictable even for those requirements.
January 2, 2019
Nice love stories!
May 6, 2020
Not as good a book as she has written in the past. Lots of fluff but not much depth.
September 17, 2024
This book has two great stories. I loved them both and couldn’t stop reading! Onto the next one…
May 1, 2013
Somewhere in the book the perfection is too much of that the male protagonist was described. The book is a bit daydreamish. Somehow I enjoyed reading it, especially when someone is in search of such kind of romance to nurture a heart and soul. Enjoyed it just like eating my favorite sweet chewy junior.
June 25, 2013
A set of 2 stories that are easy summer reads. They hold no great suspense and follow a similar pattern but they would make great poolside/beachside accompaniments. This was my first Delinsky book and while I liked it, I don't know that her work is something I will seek out. That said, if another book of hers falls into my lap as this one did, I will most certainly read it.
March 4, 2014
I always love Barbara Delinsky books, I like the way she brings you into the story and you really get to know the characters like they were friends or family. This book was good a story line that was intriguing and mysterious somewhat. Also a love story...
January 1, 2016
Thought I would give Delinsky a try. An OK story, but I didn't really get into it. It took a long time for the hero and heroine to meet, and there was a lot of thinking about each other from afar. Also, all the other characters were quite annoying! Just wanted to day enough already.
April 2, 2013
Disappointing.
This is actually two shorter stories, the first of which I forced myself to finish. The second I won't waste my time on.
This is actually two shorter stories, the first of which I forced myself to finish. The second I won't waste my time on.
September 27, 2012
First story was very nice, the second one was dull and blah. Read for the first one.
October 11, 2012
Kinda steamy and daydreamish. Not a probable situation but nice to think about...quick read.
November 25, 2012
Two separate short stories - both were lacking a real story or any depth what so ever. Girl meets boy... they sleep together... the end.
January 9, 2013
Really could not get into this book. :-( Hard to get thru it.
April 16, 2013
An enjoyable read. A nice book to read while having tea at home with the music on.
February 22, 2014
run-of-the-mill romance stories are never my cup of coffee. I'm sure this book will be enjoyable for other people. It just doesnt work for me, that's all!
February 26, 2015
I didn't finish reading this book, because it's one of those cheesy boring unrealistic romance story that only provides fantasies for women.
May 23, 2015
drivel
July 17, 2019
Formerly HT #173
April 6, 2013
Very simple, old-fashioned love story.
August 5, 2015
Just the kind of romance I was looking for. Enjoyed both heat wave and a special something.
February 15, 2016
Superficial
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews