A Dance with Her Forbidden Officer

by Lauri Robinson

He danced her off her feet
…now she can’t stop falling

Nurse Wendy Smith promised her mother she’d see the world, starting with beautiful Hawaii. Her promise to herself—to never depend on a man—is harder to keep when navy officer K.T. McAllister jitterbugs into her life. Then Pearl Harbor is attacked and, as Wendy nurses an injured K.T., she learns he too has promises to people back home. Yet as K.T. grows stronger, so do her feelings, and her longing for the forbidden…

Genres: Historical Romance, Romance, Historical Fiction, Harlequin, Historical, Slow Burn

288 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published February 15, 2024

About the author

Lauri Robinson's chosen genre to write is Western historical, and when asked why, she says, "Because I know I wasn't the only girl who wanted to grow up and marry Little Joe Cartwright."

With a degree in early childhood education, Lauri has spent three decades working in the non-profit field for Head Start, Child Abuse Intervention, the March of Dimes, and United Way. She claims the once upon a time and happily ever after premise of romance novels has always been a form of stress relief. When her husband suggested she write one, she took the challenge and has loved every minute of the journey.

Lauri lives in rural Minnesota, where she and her husband spend every spare moment with their three grown sons and their families, which includes three granddaughters, two stepgrandsons and two granddogs. She volunteers for several organizations, including her local library, and spends most fall weekends filling the freezer with homemade foodstuffs from the bountiful harvest of her husband's green thumb. She's a diehard Elvis fan (yes, she's been to Graceland), and loves to spend Sundays watching NASCAR, either live or on TV. However, she says her favorite weekends are spent in the woods of northern Minnesota on the land homesteaded by her great-grandfather.

Most of her childhood was spent in western Kansas, which is the setting for several of her stories. Lauri is a member of RWA, Northern Lights Writers,and Hearts Through History Romance Writers, as well as several online writing groups. She writes for Harlequin, Mills and Boon and The Wild Rose Press.


For updates on her writing please visit www.laurirobinson.blogspot.com

Reviews

[Jean M · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great read this story is. A love story set within the poignant event of the Pearl Harbour attack.
KT and Wendy were drawn to each other and their friendship was true. It was only a matter of time though before their feelings deepened.
Throw in the misguided action of Wendy keeping a letter from KT and the story did pull at my heart strings especially when initially her decision to do so was out of care for him.
Both Wendy and KT had issues to overcome and had to work through their feelings.
KT is a man of such integrity and honour that it was easy to pick up his loyalty to his girlfriend and in the end he was generous enough to visit with her and her husband.
I loved how when KT was phoning home he had to ring the local store. It made me smile to think of the whole town listening to his call. There were other fun parts to the story which ensured the book was not too sad.
Definitely one of my favourite war time romance books to read and with their HEA I definitely recommend this book.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Luciav · Rating 2 out of 5]

Una pérdida de tiempo? Si. Me entretuvo en un vuelo nocturno? Si

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lauri Robinson's A Dance with Her Forbidden Officer is an evocative and enthralling historical romance set during the Second World War.

Nurse Wendy Smith had promised her mother that she would never be any man's possession and that she would see the world and have lots of exciting adventures. Falling in love is definitely not part of the plan for Wendy - until a chance encounter with naval officer K T McAllister. Wendy is determined to keep K T at arm's length, however, when Pearl Harbor is attacked and she nurses him back to health, they start to get closer and closer.

K T has also made promises to people back home, yet the more time he spends with Wendy, the more he is drawn to her. As his feelings for her grow stronger with each passing day, he finds himself torn between duty and desire.

Is a future for the two of them possible? Or is their love simply not meant to be?

Lauri Robinson is such a talented historical romance writer who makes varied eras and settings her own. From the American West to Victorian England and Pearl Harbor, Lauri Robinson always delivers superb historical romances and A Dance with Her Forbidden Officer is no exception. Emotional, dramatic and heart-wrenching, readers will be seduced by this wonderfully written tale of love, courage and sacrifice - don't miss it!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Ellie (On a break, mostly rereading) · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Dance with Her Forbidden Officer is a super sweet and charming World War II romance by Lauri Robinson.

I do love historical romances, though World War II is a little later in time than I usually like to read - I'm more of a Georgian Regancy, Victorian or Edwardian romance reader. However, I've read other books published by Robinson via Harlequin Historical that I was interested to give this one a go.

The book is set in the days and weeks surrounding the attack on Pearl Harbor in Hawaii. Wendy Smith is a nurse working at the base hospital when Pearl Harbor is attacked. She meets naval officer KT McAllister at one of the dances held as part of the attempt to give the personnel somewhere to let off some steam away from the war. Aside from the war and KT's injuries sustained in the attack, there are reasons why they shouldn't be together - namely, KT's unresolved relationship back home with his childhood sweetheart. However, KT and Wendy have something strong between them. The world is also going to hell, so decisions must be made without anyone getting unduly hurt.

A wonderful historical romance with a satisfying ending a sweet epilogue that has the perfect HEA for Wendy and KT.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Jane Hunt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Set in 1941 in Hawaii, just before and after the Pearl Harbour attack, this emotional and engaging historical romance evokes WW2 with authenticity, believable characters and forbidden romance. Wendy, a Red Cross Nursing Aide, wants to see the world and retain her independence. KT enjoys his military career but has left a girlfriend behind with expectations of a future together after the war. They meet just before the Pearl Harbour attack at a dance. The chemistry between them is powerful. When KT is injured, Wendy nurses him, forming an emotional attachment that fuels their attraction, but she isn't looking for love, and he feels he has emotional commitments back home. The hospital setting, treatments and historical details are relatable and well-researched. Lighter moments mitigate the conflicted romance, making this an enjoyable balance of heartwarming humour and heartbreaking poignancy.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher.

[AnnMarie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read a lot of romance novels set during the war but believe this is the first set at Pearl Harbour. I worried a little that it would be too sad because of knowing what happened there. I am glad to say that the author didn't gloss over the horrors of what happened, but at the same time, she balanced the story out with fun, lighthearted moments that kept me smiling. I loved the budding romance between Wendy and K.T. the main characters of the story. They both had reasons for not falling in love or getting seriously involved with each other. I loved watching them try to stop the inevitable. The build-up of their romance was beautiful and I couldn't read quickly enough to enjoy when they would ultimately realise that they could and should be together!

The pace of the book was just right and I thoroughly enjoyed it and recommend it!

[Tina Loves To Read · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a Historical Romance that took place during WWII. I love historical fiction books that take place during WWII, but it has been a little bit since I picked up one. I am so glad I picked up this book because this is everything I love in Historical Romance. The setting of this book is Hawaii, and this book starts off right before pearl harbor was attacked. I love the take on pearl harbor this book has. I also loved the hospital parts of this book. This book is filled with cute moments and love with some historical stuff. I loved the characters in this book, and the characters felt real to me. Great read. I received an ARC of this book. This review is my own honest opinion about the book like all my reviews are.

[Amber Leigh Williams · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is my first Lauri Robison historical romance and I enjoyed it immensely. There's so much I know about Pearl Harbor leading up to and during the attack in December 1941, but nothing about what came after on the island. The author does an excellent job filling in the blanks of the recovery effort. K.T. and Wendy, aka Oklahoma and Nebraska which is just too cute, are loveable, easy to root for characters. The misunderstanding with the letter seemed to go on too long, in my opinion. Wendy's reasons for hiding it felt confused at times. All in all, though, a satisfying HEA. I love this time frame and wish Harlequin Historical would publish more from this period.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Andrea Wenger · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nurse’s aid Wendy promised her dying mother that she’d explore the world. But her pledge to never rely on a man is tested when she meets navy officer K.T. in Hawaii. While tending his injuries after the Pearl Harbor attack, she discovers the vows binding him back home. As he recovers, she grapples with yearnings that defy the boundaries between them.

This vivid and emotional medical romance is full of longing. K.T. has a strong sense of duty that keeps him tied to his past commitments despite his growing attraction to Wendy.

Thanks, Booksprout, for the ARC I received. This is my honest and voluntary review.

[Sheila · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wendy is a volunteer nurse with the Red Cross stationed in Hawaii during WWII where she meets KT when they danced the night away only to see him again when he gets terribly burned when Pearl Harbor was bombed. She nursed him back to health all the time falling in love with him but he was promised to another and when he gets a Dear John letter she keeps it from him so that he doesn’t get hurt again during his recovery. Absolutely loved this wonderful book with great details about the war and the romantic relationship that Wendy and KT built.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Marichus Real · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wendy is a Red Cross volunteer nurse stationed in Hawaii. She is spirited and happy.
K.T. is an underwater welder in the Navy stationed in Hawaii. He is guarded and serious.
The story starts with a dance just the previous night to the attack on Pearl Harbor by the Japanese.
This book is well-written and as vivid as a film. It is also very emotional, and you take to a liking of the characters since the beginning of the story. They both had an extreme sense of duty. Their feelings for each other are slow but relentless.
I highly recommend this book.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Rose Seals · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well written, full of emotions, romance, war, sweet friendship, history, and twists. Wendy is a nurse living and working at Pearl Harbor. K.T. is a naval officer who is also there during the attack and injured. Both of these characters have so much to offer the other and this storyline. As Wendy cares for K.T. , their feelings start to change for each other. Both will need to resolve with some issues before their own happily ever after can become real for them. Would recommend this to others.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Marie Bourgery · Rating 5 out of 5]

A nurse and a navy officer won a military dance competition and thought they’d never see each other again when Wendy ends up caring for J.T. after he’s severely burned rescuing other sailors in Pearl Harbor but he’s promised to his high school sweetheart and she promised her mother she wouldn’t settle for a man and would travel the world. They become friends, their feelings deepening, but worries about themselves in an uncertain world they put up barriers around their hearts that may prevent them from lifetime love. This was a kisses only until near the end start of WWII romance.

[Grinning Cat · Rating 4 out of 5]

MMC/FMC- K.T. and Wendy
POV- 3rd person
Genre- Historical Romance
Era- WWII
Heat- they do the thing after they get married and no parts are named.
Series? Y
Safety? No, because he kind of has a girl back home
Triggers- non-explicit erotic scene
Tropes- Wartime Romance
Thoughts- I liked this book. The little period details really made it interesting.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Roni Denholtz · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed this World War II historical romance! The setting (Hawaii) was romantic and Ms. Robinson showed us its beauty, despite the war; and the hardships people faced during this tumultuous time. She did meticulous research, but it never overshadowed the beautiful romance between characters I admired. I've read other books by her but this is one of her best. If you enjoy reading about this time period, don't miss this wonderful romance!

[Janilyn Kocher · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved it. I read it because lately I’ve been obsessed with the movie Pearl Harbor after catching it on tv. I’ve seen the movie a bunch of times but never liked the ending. This book popped up in social media and I bought it, mainly because it’s set on Pearl Harbor during WWII and the lovers have issues.
I love how they call each other Nebraska and Oklahoma while their names are KT and Wendy.
They do get their HEA which I wish Danny and Evelyn had in PH.

[Brenda Moser · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a well written historical WWII medical romance with strong characters in Wendy and K.T. The author brings an emotional story taking place in Hawaii after the attack on Pearl Harbor. I loved the storyline and reading their story. Great read!

I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book. All opinions in this review are my own and freely given.

[Kathleen Ryder · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lauri’s stories are so sweet, one can’t help falling in love with them. I first came to historical romance via Lauri’s books, and am now utterly addicted!

Utterly predictable (it is a Mills and Boon after all), with realistic characters and great pacing.

Just a fun way to spend an hour or two.

Thank you to BookSprout for a copy of this ARC in return for my honest review.

[Lisa H · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oklahoma and Nebraska in Hawaii.

I like that Lauri Robinson writes historical but in interesting, less written about times. This time, it’s the start of the US involvement with WW2. Set in Hawaii, Wendy is a nurse who enjoys dancing, especially with KT. He’s Oklahoma, she’s Nebraska.
He’s made promises. But as a nurse she, she is nursing KT.
Recommend.

[Rhonda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love and war are difficult at most. Like the historical aspect of the story. Intriguing and interesting characters to follow along through this tumultuous time in our history. Good read.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Harlequin Books]

Historical Fiction, 20th Century Historical Romance

[Olivia · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️3.5

[Cali Jewel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this action-packed adventure filled with witty and engaging charters, heart racing twists and exciting turns. Highly entertaining and heartwarming journey.

[Mum · Rating 4 out of 5]

A World War II romance set in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. A very good story and romance.

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a terrific story in an unusual setting for a Harlequin Historical. In a line mainly set in the Regency or Medieval eras, this book takes place in 20th-century Hawaii during the attack on Pearl Harbor. I have lived in Hawaii and visited the Arizona Memorial, so this character-centered look at the attack and its aftermath was fascinating. I especially appreciate the author's attention to the small details that made the story come alive.

Wendy is a young woman from Nebraska with a spirited personality. She has a craving for adventure and promised her mother she would see the world. Becoming a Red Cross nurse's aide was her first step, followed by accepting a post in Hawaii. Though she is in a tropical paradise surrounded by men, Wendy plans to avoid romantic entanglements that could tie her down or affect her independence. She is determined to live her life to the fullest.

KT is an underwater welder with the Navy. He's often amazed that a guy from land-locked Oklahoma has ended up in tropical Hawaii. KT is a serious man with a well-developed sense of honor. He has a girl back home with expectations of a future together, so he avoids any opportunities for impropriety.

Wendy and KT meet on December 6 at a dance for the people stationed at Pearl Harbor. Wendy's excitement is evident in her enthusiasm for dancing, though she's a little frustrated that no one matches her enthusiasm. A handsome sailor draws her attention, but he doesn't seem interested, so she dances with others. Wendy's exuberance attracts KT's attention. He notices her talent for dancing and her apparent disappointment in her partners. He loves to dance but wouldn't feel proper dancing with anyone other than his Betty. I loved when they encountered each other. Their banter was fun, and I loved how Wendy challenged him to dance with her. Their connection was immediate, and they danced together as if they'd been partners for years, to the point where they won an impromptu dance competition. They parted at the end, not expecting to see each other again.

A few hours later came the attack by the Japanese. The descriptions of the attack from the viewpoints of KT and Wendy were vivid enough that I could almost smell the smoke and hear the explosions. Their experiences in the aftermath were realistic and easy to visualize.

Wendy never expected to end up with KT as one of her patients. She had thought of him often during the hours since the attack and hoped for his safety, so it was a shock to find him at the hospital. KT was severely burned while using his diving skills to rescue trapped sailors. His injuries require frequent attention, and the head nurse has requested her skills.

As the days go on, Wendy and KT's connection grows deeper as they spend many hours together. I enjoyed watching their friendship develop and could see them fighting the deeper feelings that were building. There were some terrific scenes of them together, from his time in the hospital to after he was released.

But Wendy is hiding a secret from KT. It began as a simple desire to save him from more pain during his recovery but went on too long. She felt guilty about not confessing but couldn't bring herself to do anything about it. Unsurprisingly, it eventually came back to bite her, creating a rift between her and KT. Each has decisions to make when unexpected career opportunities are offered. I loved the advice Wendy received from her mentor and its effect on her perception of her life. KT also had the chance to reevaluate his plans after an unexpected conversation.

I loved the ending and seeing how Wendy and KT found their way back to each other. Their reunion was sweet, and their future looks bright.