Adam's Image

by Debbie Macomber

DOCTOR IN THE HOUSE

To all the world, Susan McKenzie, successful romance editor, seemed to be the perfect heroine. But there was one thing missing in her life, and that was the perfect hero.

Then she met Dr. Adam Gallagher. He seemed to fit the role perfectly; surely together they would live happily ever after.

But Adam didn't seem to want to play the hero's role. Aloof and somewhat mysterious, his professional detachment could drive any woman crazy. Was he throwing a twist into Susan's well-plotted life?

Genres: Romance

Mass Market Paperback

First published February 2, 1985

About the author

Debbie Macomber is a #1 New York Times bestselling author and one of today’s most popular writers with more than 200 million copies of her books in print worldwide. In her novels, Macomber brings to life compelling relationships that embrace family and enduring friendships, uplifting her readers with stories of connection and hope. Macomber’s novels have spent over 1,000 weeks on the New York Times bestseller list. Fifteen of these novels hit the number one spot.

In 2023, Macomber’s all-new hardcover publication includes Must Love Flowers (July). In addition to fiction, Macomber has also published three bestselling cookbooks, three adult coloring books, numerous inspirational and nonfiction works, and two acclaimed children’s books.

Celebrated as “the official storyteller of Christmas”, Macomber’s annual Christmas books are beloved and six have been crafted into original Hallmark Channel movies. Macomber is also the author of the bestselling Cedar Cove Series which the Hallmark Channel chose as the basis for its first dramatic scripted television series. Debuting in 2013, Debbie Macomber’s Cedar Cove was a ratings favorite for three seasons.

She serves on the Guideposts National Advisory Cabinet, is a YFC National Ambassador, and is World Vision’s international spokesperson for their Knit for Kids charity initiative. A devoted grandmother, Debbie and Wayne live in Port Orchard, Washington, the town which inspired the Cedar Cove series.

Reviews

[Tric Marland · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love Debbie Macomber stories, but this one was so frustrating and made me really angry. Took me a day to read and by the end I wanted to slap the heroine (Susan) to wake her up and kick the hero's? (Adam's) butt. Given this book was first published 30 years ago, I understand times have changed with regards to how much crap one endures in a relationship, but even a saint would have given up with this numpty. For a change it's the man who's dealing with major insecurity issues but even so, there's simply no need to treat our heroine like dirt. She needed a slap, to wake up to the fact that she should stop being a weak door mat. Running after a bloke and grabbing what little love he gave her when he chose to, was pathetic and makes us look like idiots. The bloke (some doctor) was extremely unstable and needed counselling to be able to move forward and accept not every relationship is the same. I know when you love someone you accept them warts and all, but there has to be a limit when you say enough's enough. Adam's character was bordering on major nut case and Susan's was becoming more and more pathetic. I also felt the ending was rushed and in no way in real life was a happy ending evident!!!

[Pattie Babbitt · Rating 1 out of 5]

I am going to forgive this book because it was written in 1985 before Macomber got into the swing of writing. Susan was an idiot and Adam was downright abusive. In a romance you are supposed to want the couple the get together in the end. All I wanted was for Susan to grab a cast iron pan and throttle Adam with it. Blech!

[Laufey · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book deserves fewer than the one star I gave it!
Finished it out of pure stubbornness and if it had not been a library book it would have ended in the bin!

[Carla Baker · Rating 2 out of 5]

I love Debbie Macomber and have read most of her books. It is very hard for me to say I don’t like one of her books. Unfortunately, this is one of those times. I read it, hoping it was going to get better and it wasn’t a long book, so I didn’t waste a lot of time. LOL Unfortunately the same relationship issues happened throughout the book. Over and over. After a while you just got tired of the whole back-and-forth with this couple. still I love Debbie Macomber and I was willing to give her a chance. I was so disappointed with the ending. I felt like she ran out of time and just decided to write the ending quick to get it over with. Maybe she just liked the book as well, but had to finish it.

[Lyn Ford · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was looking for a easy read while waiting for appointments
This certainly fitted the bill
I usually like Debbie Macomber stories but this was so so
but in her defence in was written in 1985 and her stories have improved over the years

[Bethany Davis · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book was trash.

Only finished reading it because I was too stubborn to toss it. In the author's defense, this was one of her 1985 works, however, this does not explain the absence of character development and the frustrating relationship between the two main characters.

[Cathie McManus · Rating 5 out of 5]

Susan wanted to be with Adam. Unfortunately, Adam fights being with her. His reasoning is flawed in my opinion. Adam was hot one minute then cold the next. It had a whiplash effect on me. I couldn't do what Susan did.

[Sally · Rating 3 out of 5]

It is so frustrating to me that authors spend hundred of pages developing the plot only to suddenly end it. This book does that. Ends in 1 1/2 pages.too many unanswered questions. I feel cheated and feel like I waisted my time.

[Joyce Cottrell · Rating 2 out of 5]

I usually really enjoy Debbie Macomber's books, but this one was really a disappointment.

[Cathy Evans · Rating 3 out of 5]

Best thing I can say is it was a quick read. I wanted to shake Susan and tell her to date someone else and forget Adam. He seemed very hard hearted and she seemed very desperate.

[Linda Hartley · Rating 2 out of 5]

As I yawn I find it difficult to review this book. So I will leave it at that.

[Sara Caisse · Rating 2 out of 5]

I love this author. But this book really frustrated me to just about the end. The way he treated her all the way until he proposed was just awful

[Penny Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love any book that was written by Debbie Macomber .

[Subhashini S. Iyer]

One of the worst books I ever read! This is nothing like Debbie Macomber's other books.

[Carrie · Rating 1 out of 5]

I hated this book. I kept waiting for the the character Adam to shape up. He never does.

[Annu · Rating 1 out of 5]

Adam is a whiny asshole and a coward. Wish Bury had better books selection.

[Lucia · Rating 1 out of 5]

I…… what? What did I just read? I am so surprised this book made it through publishing. Worst book I’ve read in a long time. 0 stars

[Tina Hopkins · Rating 2 out of 5]

My least favorite of Debbie Macomber books. I felt it was too drawn out. Susan was constantly hurt and was always seeking out Adam.

[Linda Bruchert · Rating 1 out of 5]

I rarely give up on a book once I've started, but this one was so poor that I just couldn't finish it. I gave up after 80 pages which is more than enough to know how it is.

[HTP Books]

Contemporary Romance, Wholesome Romance, Romance

[M Banks · Rating 2 out of 5]

Did not like either of the main characters so made it hard time be invested in their story

[Lisa Krum · Rating 4 out of 5]

it was alright

Didn’t like the fact that Adam kept giving her the silent treatment. Not contacting her for weeks. Kind of blah.

[Bea Maxine · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book. I didn’t like the main character, Susan, because of how she was grovelling. She annoyed me. When a book annoys me so much that I become emotionally invested then I love it.
Adam made me want to rip the book apart. I found it hard to drop the book. I carried it with me everywhere.

[Yvonne Jackson · Rating 1 out of 5]

I enjoy just about everything I have read from Debbie Macomber, however, I found this book to be almost insulting. The female character seemed to beg this man to accept her. At some point, for her own self esteem, she should have accepted his reticence and moved on.

[Andy B · Rating 1 out of 5]

This was such a frustrating book to read, the blurb on the back should read "beautiful intelligent woman enters into an emotionally abusive relationship with self centred jerk". The descriptions that are on the back cover - 'feel good novel truly satisfying' 'sweet traditional romance''simple and wholesome', these are the emotions that will have fled from your soul after reading this book.

I like reading Debbie Macomber, but this is one early work that should been left to decay on a long-forgotten shelf.

[Barb · Rating 2 out of 5]

Too predictable...

[Ria F · Rating 2 out of 5]

Originally published in 1985, so maybe that's why I don't like it? The concept of a woman (successful in her field) repeatedly letting some guy break her heart, and it's ok because he has self image/self worth issues? F that.

[Don Nelson]

Fair

[Barbara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Susan have left and it really doesn't matter which century the book was written in, for goodness sake have some self respect and walk away and stay way. But then we wouldn't be reading this book?

[Ellen · Rating 1 out of 5]

Don't bother buying or reading this book. It has to be Debbie Macomber's worst effort. Spineless heroine falls for emotional abusive, split personality Dr. who finally proposes on the last page of the book & we are supposed to believe that it's 'happily ever after'? Utter waste of time. I expected much better.