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Man's World
Kate was finished with love for good.
Kate's new boss, features editor Eliot Holman, might have devastating charms—but Kate couldn't care less, even if it was obvious that he was interested in her.
Everyone, including Eliot, thought Kate was grieving over the loss of her husband, Toby. She kept it a carefully guarded secret just how cruelly Toby had treated her and how terrified she was of trusting men again.
But Eliot refused to leave her alone, which only served to infuriate her. He was no different from any other man...or was he?
Kate's new boss, features editor Eliot Holman, might have devastating charms—but Kate couldn't care less, even if it was obvious that he was interested in her.
Everyone, including Eliot, thought Kate was grieving over the loss of her husband, Toby. She kept it a carefully guarded secret just how cruelly Toby had treated her and how terrified she was of trusting men again.
But Eliot refused to leave her alone, which only served to infuriate her. He was no different from any other man...or was he?
187 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published July 1, 1980
111 people want to read
About the author
Charlotte Lamb
261 books314 followersSheila Ann Mary Coates Holland
aka Sheila Holland, Sheila Coates, Charlotte Lamb, Sheila Lancaster, Victoria Woolf, Laura Hardy
Sheila Ann Mary Coates was born on 1937 in Essex, England, just before the Second World War in the East End of London. As a child, she was moved from relative to relative to escape the bombings of World War II. Sheila attended the Ursuline Convent for Girls. On leaving school at 16, the convent-educated author worked for the Bank of England as a clerk. Sheila continued her education by taking advantage of the B of E's enormous library during her lunch breaks and after work. She later worked as a secretary for the BBC. While there, she met and married Richard Holland, a political reporter. A voracious reader of romance novels, she began writing at her husband's suggestion. She wrote her first book in three days with three children underfoot! In between raising her five children (including a set of twins), Charlotte wrote several more novels. She used both her married and maiden names, Sheila Holland and Sheila Coates, before her first novel as Charlotte Lamb, Follow a Stranger, was published by Mills & Boon in 1973. She also used the pennames: Sheila Lancaster, Victoria Wolf and Laura Hardy. Sheila was a true revolutionary in the field of romance writing. One of the first writers to explore the boundaries of sexual desire, her novels often reflected the forefront of the "sexual revolution" of the 1970s. Her books touched on then-taboo subjects such as child abuse and rape, and she created sexually confident - even dominant - heroines. She was also one of the first to create a modern romantic heroine: independent, imperfect, and perfectly capable of initiating a sexual or romantic relationship. A prolific author, Sheila penned more than 160 novels, most of them for Mills & Boon. Known for her swiftness as well as for her skill in writing, Sheila typically wrote a minimum of two thousand words per day, working from 9:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. While she once finished a full-length novel in four days, she herself pegged her average speed at two weeks to complete a full novel. Since 1977, Sheila had been living on the Isle of Man as a tax exile with her husband and four of their five children: Michael Holland, Sarah Holland, Jane Holland, Charlotte Holland and David Holland. Sheila passed away on October 8, 2000 in her baronial-style home 'Crogga' on the Island. She is greatly missed by her many fans, and by the romance writing community.
aka Sheila Holland, Sheila Coates, Charlotte Lamb, Sheila Lancaster, Victoria Woolf, Laura Hardy
Sheila Ann Mary Coates was born on 1937 in Essex, England, just before the Second World War in the East End of London. As a child, she was moved from relative to relative to escape the bombings of World War II. Sheila attended the Ursuline Convent for Girls. On leaving school at 16, the convent-educated author worked for the Bank of England as a clerk. Sheila continued her education by taking advantage of the B of E's enormous library during her lunch breaks and after work. She later worked as a secretary for the BBC. While there, she met and married Richard Holland, a political reporter. A voracious reader of romance novels, she began writing at her husband's suggestion. She wrote her first book in three days with three children underfoot! In between raising her five children (including a set of twins), Charlotte wrote several more novels. She used both her married and maiden names, Sheila Holland and Sheila Coates, before her first novel as Charlotte Lamb, Follow a Stranger, was published by Mills & Boon in 1973. She also used the pennames: Sheila Lancaster, Victoria Wolf and Laura Hardy. Sheila was a true revolutionary in the field of romance writing. One of the first writers to explore the boundaries of sexual desire, her novels often reflected the forefront of the "sexual revolution" of the 1970s. Her books touched on then-taboo subjects such as child abuse and rape, and she created sexually confident - even dominant - heroines. She was also one of the first to create a modern romantic heroine: independent, imperfect, and perfectly capable of initiating a sexual or romantic relationship. A prolific author, Sheila penned more than 160 novels, most of them for Mills & Boon. Known for her swiftness as well as for her skill in writing, Sheila typically wrote a minimum of two thousand words per day, working from 9:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. While she once finished a full-length novel in four days, she herself pegged her average speed at two weeks to complete a full novel. Since 1977, Sheila had been living on the Isle of Man as a tax exile with her husband and four of their five children: Michael Holland, Sarah Holland, Jane Holland, Charlotte Holland and David Holland. Sheila passed away on October 8, 2000 in her baronial-style home 'Crogga' on the Island. She is greatly missed by her many fans, and by the romance writing community.
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
March 26, 2024
Well done! I really like Charlotte Lamb's office romances/battle of the sexes stories even if the views expressed are, by today's standards, outdated.
In this story, I felt that she really struck a good balance between the heroine's aggressiveness and her vulnerability. Does she have a chip on her shoulder the size of Mount Everest when it comes to glass ceilings and sexism in the workplace? Yes. But does she have factual basis in how she feels? Absolutely.
Aside from the office romance, I thought the most important relationship that was explored was that of the heroine and her parents, particularly her father. Heroine was abused by her late husband, a sociopathic monster who managed to fool and manipulate everyone. When she ran back home to seek the protection of her parents, her parents sided with their "charming" son-in-law and convinced her to go back to him. They put the onus on her to make the marriage work and willfully blinded themselves to the very real signs that there was something deeply wrong. The sort of casual callousness with which her parents treat her is juxtaposed with their great care and concern for their their cherished, pampered son. The author really made it plausible why the heroine felt she had no choice but to shamefully hide the secret of her abuse, and why she has so much left over repressed anger today, four long years after the husband's death. The part in the book where she realizes how angry she still is at her father for choosing not to see what was right in front of his nose, for continuing the same cheerful disregard of her problems today, was the true climax in the story.
So with all this context, it made sense that the author did not conclude her category romance with the cliche fiery consummation scene or a romantic marriage proposal. Hero did want a commitment out of heroine but he agrees to take it slow and at her own pace, to try living together and allow him to prove himself to her, as well as allowing her to have time to get used to opening up and trusting someone after the trauma of her past. I am sure many Harlequin readers would be put off by this ambiguous ending but I thought it was perfect and very brave of CL to end it on this compromise.
In this story, I felt that she really struck a good balance between the heroine's aggressiveness and her vulnerability. Does she have a chip on her shoulder the size of Mount Everest when it comes to glass ceilings and sexism in the workplace? Yes. But does she have factual basis in how she feels? Absolutely.
Aside from the office romance, I thought the most important relationship that was explored was that of the heroine and her parents, particularly her father. Heroine was abused by her late husband, a sociopathic monster who managed to fool and manipulate everyone. When she ran back home to seek the protection of her parents, her parents sided with their "charming" son-in-law and convinced her to go back to him. They put the onus on her to make the marriage work and willfully blinded themselves to the very real signs that there was something deeply wrong. The sort of casual callousness with which her parents treat her is juxtaposed with their great care and concern for their their cherished, pampered son. The author really made it plausible why the heroine felt she had no choice but to shamefully hide the secret of her abuse, and why she has so much left over repressed anger today, four long years after the husband's death. The part in the book where she realizes how angry she still is at her father for choosing not to see what was right in front of his nose, for continuing the same cheerful disregard of her problems today, was the true climax in the story.
So with all this context, it made sense that the author did not conclude her category romance with the cliche fiery consummation scene or a romantic marriage proposal. Hero did want a commitment out of heroine but he agrees to take it slow and at her own pace, to try living together and allow him to prove himself to her, as well as allowing her to have time to get used to opening up and trusting someone after the trauma of her past. I am sure many Harlequin readers would be put off by this ambiguous ending but I thought it was perfect and very brave of CL to end it on this compromise.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
dnf
November 19, 2021DNF - older, widow h is a career obsessed journalist who hates men because she was abused by her late husband. Reportedly there’s an HFN but h doesn’t want too be married - h has ptsd from rape
Not for me
Not for me
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 30, 2011
This was an interesting, thought provoking book that touched on a couple of very pertinent issues of that time and even today. It has plenty of angst and conflicts to make it a good read for any CL fan. Unfortunately I had a problem with the H. I couldn't get past his insensitivity towards the h's issues. The first time he kissed her forcibly and in anger she reacted by getting physically sick. He thought she just didn't like him and this made him even more angry. Later he finds out that she was the victim of spousal rape and domestic violence and he indicates that he is sensitive to this and will be patient but at the first sign of resistance to his sexual advances he becomes angry and aggressive again. The H seems to be a charming, likeable man but the h's first husband hid his despicable behavior behind a charming facade that was only surface deep.
I'm having some difficulty believing in this HEA. It seems like she may be a repeating the pattern of her first marriage. I don't think the H is truly a violent, aggressive or bad person but I do think some counseling would be of benefit for the two of them.
I'm having some difficulty believing in this HEA. It seems like she may be a repeating the pattern of her first marriage. I don't think the H is truly a violent, aggressive or bad person but I do think some counseling would be of benefit for the two of them.
May 12, 2011
I honestly believe this will be a good book nomination for a book-club read. The subject matter is quite trivial and hundreds of books are written on the same theme but the biggest draw this book has for me is its ability to make me think about various issues.
Issue No. 1: ARE WOMEN REALLY EMOTIONAL THINKERS (As argued by Dee and Kate)?
I actually liked the reasoning both Dee and Kate gave each other in the interview. Granted, they represent just one person's view but the argument was logical. I do believe women tend to never let arguments go and mostly think emotionally (even though they supposedly 'forgive and forget' the other person at the time - hey I'm a woman and I do the same so don't look at me like that!) - but at the same time, I also sympathize with Kate's analysis of the men's club in almost all organizations where women find their entry restricted no matter how hard they work or try. The fact that women can bear children will always play against them when people are hiring (anti-discriminatory laws or not)
Issue No. 2: TRUST IN MARRIAGE:
The whole side story about Dee and Judy (although quite lengthy and messy and involved) makes you think about how the older women get the more they start doubting themselves in the face of twenty-something, perky lil girls as they get older (Carrie Bradshaw has dealt with this phenomenon quite well, if I remember correctly). Add to the fact that you're already insecure about your looks and that's a recipe for disaster. The emphasis on communication to remove doubt counted as good advise to me.
Issue No.3: ABUSIVE HUSBANDS:
I honestly think that the H could have handled the h much better especially after getting to know why she was behaving the way she was. He didn't. But I can still sort of understand what he did since the way it's written, it seems almost human. The only exception was on (page 134) when he deliberately forced her, quite against her will, to submit to him. I also (almost) admire the h for sticking to her guns and standing up to the hero, again and again, and say 'NO'. In fact, she goes as far so as to say: 'I always get the chance to say no and you HAVE to listen to ME when I say it, not your body...'
Issue No. 4: HOW WE PRETEND THINGS ARE HUNKY DORY TO SAVE FACE:
The h mentions that she thought her dad would have protected her from the husband in the abusive marriage but in fact he didn't and she's hated him for it. In fact, when she comes home after having been beaten for the 1st time, he says stuff like, 'Well married people have arguments - grow up and deal with it'. That's cuz she never told him what she was going through. That whole scene really was thought-provoking cuz I think we believe our parents to always be in control and as we grow older we realize they're just human. Also, no one can guess what you're going through if you're gonna pretend everything's okay. People aren't psychic (well most of them aren't).
Anyway, love it or hate - I think you won't be impartial to it and if someone like me, who doesn't like angsty-dramas could enjoy it, I bet most of you will.
January 22, 2018
"Man's World" is the story of Kate and Eliot.
Kate has been burned by love before, having had gone through a traumatic abusive marriage with her ex. Since his death, she's known as an ice princess, who has a biased view of this sexist world.
Her preconceptions are proved to be true, when in her journalism career, she is passed over for promotion- only for it to be given to her new nemesis, Eliot, who has been hell bent on chasing her. Soon they engage in a battle of wits, which is complicated by the ongoing rivalry between their boss/friends Dee and Judy- who use our h and H as shields.
This book made me uncomfortable many at parts. The heroine was extremely traumatized by her tragic marriage, so much that she had PTSD of the rapes- but for some reason the men in her life didnt understand that- well until the end. The France scenes, and the ones with our over-amorous hero were cringy to read, but I am however glad that the book ends in him finally giving her some space about the decision of marriage- as well as occasionally respecting her wishes once he came to know about her past trauma.
Overall an average read.
SWE
2.5/5
Kate has been burned by love before, having had gone through a traumatic abusive marriage with her ex. Since his death, she's known as an ice princess, who has a biased view of this sexist world.
Her preconceptions are proved to be true, when in her journalism career, she is passed over for promotion- only for it to be given to her new nemesis, Eliot, who has been hell bent on chasing her. Soon they engage in a battle of wits, which is complicated by the ongoing rivalry between their boss/friends Dee and Judy- who use our h and H as shields.
This book made me uncomfortable many at parts. The heroine was extremely traumatized by her tragic marriage, so much that she had PTSD of the rapes- but for some reason the men in her life didnt understand that- well until the end. The France scenes, and the ones with our over-amorous hero were cringy to read, but I am however glad that the book ends in him finally giving her some space about the decision of marriage- as well as occasionally respecting her wishes once he came to know about her past trauma.
Overall an average read.
SWE
2.5/5
November 20, 2014
The heroine: What a shrew
The hero: Good luck with the shrew
The hero: Good luck with the shrew
February 8, 2021
Charlotte Lamb is in my opinion one of the best (or maybe even the best) HP writers.
But this one I did not like as much. Because unlike many of Charlotte Lamb’s heroes, this hero is a relatively patient and nice hero (not really patient and nice, but compared to other Lamb heroes) and that takes the sting out of the romance.
Lamb’s books are often intense, but this one is not.
Halfway through the book I became a bit bored with it and I started skimming the pages. After he finds out about her abusive past, he became mellow.
But this one I did not like as much. Because unlike many of Charlotte Lamb’s heroes, this hero is a relatively patient and nice hero (not really patient and nice, but compared to other Lamb heroes) and that takes the sting out of the romance.
Lamb’s books are often intense, but this one is not.
Halfway through the book I became a bit bored with it and I started skimming the pages. After he finds out about her abusive past, he became mellow.
April 10, 2022
Oh my god, for what the premise offered on the back cover, it sure was the opposite. Reading it, you’d think it’d be about a heartbroken and hurt woman learning to love and trust again, meeting a man that perseveres with his charms. Dated, a bit problematic with the methods, that was all I expected from this.
But oh boy, I’ve never read such a sexist, cringey piece of shit written about a woman by a woman until now. All arguments and points of view from the woman is rendered invalid by her own actions, illogical emotions throws character motivations out the window despite the woman championing that summing a woman down to just her emotions is chauvinistic (and it is, but the author doesn’t seem to see the irony of what she’s written), and the male “hero” (he’s a villain who wins in the end, no question) is the most abusive, manipulative piece of shit that demands to be obeyed or else. Everything out of his mouth is insulting, patronizing, lies, or accusations, and he full on sexually assaults her on several occasions with intent to hurt because boo-hoo, he’s insulted that consent is a thing (not that he cares anyway). But apparently that’s attractive to a woman who’s a survivor of domestic abuse from her previous marriage? Yuck. Yada yada-ing abuse away by saying “love is illogical, there’s no reason to it” is just propagating very dangerous ideals.
I shudder to imagine how anyone could find this Harlequin romantic or sexy, even in 1980 when this book first came out. Would’ve rated this 0 if I could.
But oh boy, I’ve never read such a sexist, cringey piece of shit written about a woman by a woman until now. All arguments and points of view from the woman is rendered invalid by her own actions, illogical emotions throws character motivations out the window despite the woman championing that summing a woman down to just her emotions is chauvinistic (and it is, but the author doesn’t seem to see the irony of what she’s written), and the male “hero” (he’s a villain who wins in the end, no question) is the most abusive, manipulative piece of shit that demands to be obeyed or else. Everything out of his mouth is insulting, patronizing, lies, or accusations, and he full on sexually assaults her on several occasions with intent to hurt because boo-hoo, he’s insulted that consent is a thing (not that he cares anyway). But apparently that’s attractive to a woman who’s a survivor of domestic abuse from her previous marriage? Yuck. Yada yada-ing abuse away by saying “love is illogical, there’s no reason to it” is just propagating very dangerous ideals.
I shudder to imagine how anyone could find this Harlequin romantic or sexy, even in 1980 when this book first came out. Would’ve rated this 0 if I could.
December 8, 2021
This one was so much fun! Charlotte Lamb is known for her forceful, dramatic writing style. Written in 1981, this book must have made a ruckus. Of course no one was reviewing back then unless you were attached to a newspaper or magazine. The book offers a scandalous rough treatment of Kate because she spurns Eliot’s advances. He is pretty hostile towards Kate and I got a great laugh when she kept getting sick after he tries multiple times to force his kisses on her.
What did I like? Eliot tries to take Kate to lunch. She refuses telling him “When you’ve gone I'll smile from ear to ear,’ Kate promised. He laughed at that’Bitch’, he said softly staring at her. 😲
Eliot tries pretty much every advance… even woo’s her in France, but given her trauma from marriage she pulls away at every turn. Charlotte Lamb infuses her character with fire and strength as they battle their feelings towards each other. I was completely captivated and didn’t want to put it down. Man’s world is aptly titled!
Would I buy or recommend? This is a pretty clean book but has all the angst you can handle. My daughter read this also and she wanted more of an ending. I have to agree that Harlequin does leave you hanging! Five stars!
I got my copy from thriftbooks!
What did I like? Eliot tries to take Kate to lunch. She refuses telling him “When you’ve gone I'll smile from ear to ear,’ Kate promised. He laughed at that’Bitch’, he said softly staring at her. 😲
Eliot tries pretty much every advance… even woo’s her in France, but given her trauma from marriage she pulls away at every turn. Charlotte Lamb infuses her character with fire and strength as they battle their feelings towards each other. I was completely captivated and didn’t want to put it down. Man’s world is aptly titled!
Would I buy or recommend? This is a pretty clean book but has all the angst you can handle. My daughter read this also and she wanted more of an ending. I have to agree that Harlequin does leave you hanging! Five stars!
I got my copy from thriftbooks!
September 2, 2021
I'm sorry what now? This book is SOOOOO dated its painful. You want the heroine to not only to leave her job, her city, her country, her planet!!!! Since all the men ALL the men are awful and sexist and terrible to her. Okay maybe that heart attack guy is alright, but every other man with dialogue is just gross. I could kinda overlook everything the 'hero' did up until he heard about the heroine's dead husband. Once her learned that all he needed to do was switch tactics. Did he? Nope. So many forced kisses and a rape. My man, this scarred woman doesn't owe you SHIT!!! Leave her the hell alone! Hope the heroine got frozen and woke up today because that is the only way she would get a happy ending, everything else is just painful to contemplate. Skippp, not even fun for the trash value.
November 11, 2024
As usual, well written and compelling. A bit repetitive with the push pull (rather nasty) encounters between the H and h, but a good read. Kudos for Lamb addressing domestic violence and marital rape at that time, but for today's reader not enough was said, done to help her with the resulting PTSD.
May 14, 2019
I get that it was a different time but the H continually making passes at her even after learning that her husband abused her just didn't sit well with me. It's not a bad book but it's rather outdated.
June 10, 2024
Loved it
![Profile Image for Namera [The Literary Invertebrate].](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fi.gr-assets.com%2Fimages%2FS%2Fcompressed.photo.goodreads.com%2Fusers%2F1647896333i%2F31792110._UX200_CR0%2C96%2C200%2C200_.jpg&w=128&q=75)
August 8, 2024
God, the things this woman puts her heroines through, she must hate them. RTC
December 29, 2024
In which Charlotte Lamb continues to be M&B’s most thought-provoking and multi-dimensional author.
On the one hand she writes extremely eloquently about the dynamics of abusive relationships and the trauma it inflicts on survivors, while at the same time being an old-school Mills & Boon author with a penchant for forceful old-school alpha heroes and forced seduction (though they don’t actually get around to consummating the relationship in this one). It’s fascinating to read plus a unique and valuable primary source for those interested in how romance novels historically handled women’s issues and feminism.
Also in this one she tackles sexism in the workplace, 80s style! It’s aged a bit more than her stuff on abuse, but she fits in multiple pertinent points and it seethes with justified feminist rage.
What can I say, but We stan one (1) feminist queen!
(Oh, and the HEA was very sweet and perfect for the heroine’s situation)
Edit: 29/12/24: Ok I literally have no memory of reading this before lmao??
On the one hand she writes extremely eloquently about the dynamics of abusive relationships and the trauma it inflicts on survivors, while at the same time being an old-school Mills & Boon author with a penchant for forceful old-school alpha heroes and forced seduction (though they don’t actually get around to consummating the relationship in this one). It’s fascinating to read plus a unique and valuable primary source for those interested in how romance novels historically handled women’s issues and feminism.
Also in this one she tackles sexism in the workplace, 80s style! It’s aged a bit more than her stuff on abuse, but she fits in multiple pertinent points and it seethes with justified feminist rage.
What can I say, but We stan one (1) feminist queen!
(Oh, and the HEA was very sweet and perfect for the heroine’s situation)
Edit: 29/12/24: Ok I literally have no memory of reading this before lmao??
October 11, 2015
Kate let everyone think she was grieving over the loss of her husband. She kept it a carefully guarded secret just how cruelly Toby had treated her and how terrified she was of trusting men again.
Eliot, refuses to leave her alone, which only served to infuriate her. But unless she wants to quit fighting for the job they both are being considered for she has to deal with him, the job she worked so hard to achieve might just slide through her fingers. Eliot walks in from America and her boss is beside himself with wanting him for the position.
Eliot, refuses to leave her alone, which only served to infuriate her. But unless she wants to quit fighting for the job they both are being considered for she has to deal with him, the job she worked so hard to achieve might just slide through her fingers. Eliot walks in from America and her boss is beside himself with wanting him for the position.
April 18, 2016
Read between January & June 1985.
Original notes on book from 1985: Good Harlequin. Set in London newspaper.
Original notes on book from 1985: Good Harlequin. Set in London newspaper.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews