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Meant for Each Other
Was Lindsay Varlon just an attractive scoundrel - or Thea's best friend in the world? Cousin Geraldine, the popular and beautiful actress, probably knew the answer, but she was not inclined to help her penniless young relative.
Then Stephen Dorley came on the scene, and Thea was able to see that ordinary, day-to-day niceness is better, after all, than exciting, but slightly dangerous uncertainty. Or is it?
Then Stephen Dorley came on the scene, and Thea was able to see that ordinary, day-to-day niceness is better, after all, than exciting, but slightly dangerous uncertainty. Or is it?
- GenresHarlequin RomanceRomance
190 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1945
35 people want to read
About the author
Mary Burchell
162 books84 followersIda Cook was born on 1904 at 37 Croft Avenue, Sunderland, England. With her eldest sister Mary Louise Cook (1901), she attending the Duchess' School in Alnwick. Later the sisters took civil service jobs in London, and developed a passionate interest in opera. The sisters helped 29 jews to escape from the Nazis, funded mainly by Ida's writing. In 1965, the Cook sisters were honored as Righteous Gentiles by the Yad Vashem Martyrs and Heroes Remembrance Authority in Israel.
As Mary Burchell, she published more than 125 romance novels by Mills & Boon since 1936. She also wrote some western novels as James Keene in collaboration with the author Will Cook (aka Frank Peace). In 1950, Ida Cook wrote her autobiography: "We followed our stars". She helped to found the Romantic Novelists' Association, and was its president from 1966 to her death on December 22, 1986.
As Mary Burchell, she published more than 125 romance novels by Mills & Boon since 1936. She also wrote some western novels as James Keene in collaboration with the author Will Cook (aka Frank Peace). In 1950, Ida Cook wrote her autobiography: "We followed our stars". She helped to found the Romantic Novelists' Association, and was its president from 1966 to her death on December 22, 1986.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 10 reviews
January 25, 2014
Another Mary Burchell classic. I just loved it, but I usually love all her work.
A young woman is left destitute when her mother dies with no skills in which to earn a living. She turns to her only relative for help, a famous theatre actress. The cousin is jealous of the heroines youth/beauty and steps into the role of evil OW. She denies any form of help or shelter thinking that she will get rid of her, except she doesn't anticipate the kindness of strangers (hero).
I loved the heroine, she was young, fresh and just plain adorable. Poor hero never stood a chance and fell like a ton of bricks! But since he is her senior by 15+ years and "Mr. Man About Town" with quite the reputation, their relationship starts off as just friendship and stays platonic for most of the "courtship".
There isn't much as far as angst except for the petty shenanigans of OW, but it's an entertaining story that just keeps moving you along. A great way to spend a couple of hours.
MB outdid herself here.
A young woman is left destitute when her mother dies with no skills in which to earn a living. She turns to her only relative for help, a famous theatre actress. The cousin is jealous of the heroines youth/beauty and steps into the role of evil OW. She denies any form of help or shelter thinking that she will get rid of her, except she doesn't anticipate the kindness of strangers (hero).
I loved the heroine, she was young, fresh and just plain adorable. Poor hero never stood a chance and fell like a ton of bricks! But since he is her senior by 15+ years and "Mr. Man About Town" with quite the reputation, their relationship starts off as just friendship and stays platonic for most of the "courtship".
There isn't much as far as angst except for the petty shenanigans of OW, but it's an entertaining story that just keeps moving you along. A great way to spend a couple of hours.
MB outdid herself here.
October 19, 2022
Having read a few books of Mary Burchell and liking her writing,I was disappointed with this book. There was absolutely nothing between the so called hero and heroine.Infact the heroine Thea has a good time with hero’s nephew Stephen who was an ideal match for her. The hero Valron helps Thea when she comes to London penniless and her cousin Geraldine refuses to help her. Thea feels obliged to him and valron soon falls for her and decides to marry to support her as she has no one in the world. I really couldn’t understand when and how he falls for her ,he is twice her age and in the end Thea confesses she loves him but also if Stephen had proposed her before valron she would have married Stephen. Basically it looked like she was willing to marry either of the two.
August 14, 2013
Loved this book. I like the misunderstood hero who appears bad, but is really good.
March 30, 2013
I've been rereading books by Mary Burchell, my favorite romance author from the 70s-90s when I used to read a lot of paperback romances. Mary Burchell rescued Jews from the Nazis in World War II, and often has unusual plots for genre romances.
This is not one of her best. The jacket description is a particularly bad one as well.
Thea is an orphaned 19-year-old. She goes to stay with her only relative, cousin Geraldine, an actress who may or may not be the mistress of 35-year-old producer Lindsay Varlon. (This book was first published in 1945.)
Geraldine would let her cousin starve in the streets, but Lindsay steps in to see that she does not. He also sends his nephew Stephen to escort her to a play. After a car accident, he manipulates her into marrying him (because he is secretly in love with her, of course, not because he has designs on her innocent virtue). After an angry break-up, all turns out well in the end.
Thea is not a particularly interesting character, and her waffling over Stephen vs. Lindsay isn't particularly interesting either. Lindsay is described as a big bad wolf type but is obviously not from his first appearance in the book. Meant for Each Other is worth reading if you are a Mary Burchell fan.
This is not one of her best. The jacket description is a particularly bad one as well.
Thea is an orphaned 19-year-old. She goes to stay with her only relative, cousin Geraldine, an actress who may or may not be the mistress of 35-year-old producer Lindsay Varlon. (This book was first published in 1945.)
Geraldine would let her cousin starve in the streets, but Lindsay steps in to see that she does not. He also sends his nephew Stephen to escort her to a play. After a car accident, he manipulates her into marrying him (because he is secretly in love with her, of course, not because he has designs on her innocent virtue). After an angry break-up, all turns out well in the end.
Thea is not a particularly interesting character, and her waffling over Stephen vs. Lindsay isn't particularly interesting either. Lindsay is described as a big bad wolf type but is obviously not from his first appearance in the book. Meant for Each Other is worth reading if you are a Mary Burchell fan.
June 13, 2025
3 stars
Thea, 19, is our heroine. She has solid values and a mischievous streak that pops up now and then. I enjoy how she thinks and the way she sees others.
Our hero, Lindsay, 35, is reserved, kind, and generous. Lindsay's nephew Stephen is a great guy. Stephen's mother/Lindsay's sister is warm-hearted and accepting. Even the cat is an enjoyable character.
Thea's mother died and left her penniless, so she turns to her cousin Geraldine, her only living relative. She meets Lindsay when he picks her up from the depot instead of Geraldine. She lives with Geraldine while she attends business college. Thea starts dating Stephen. While Stephen and his mom are in the US on business, an accident happens which changes Thea's life forever, leaving her with one choice.
[This is the second time she has used the name Lindsay for a main character.]
This is the 4th book I've found by this author with no grey-eyed characters.
Thea, 19, is our heroine. She has solid values and a mischievous streak that pops up now and then. I enjoy how she thinks and the way she sees others.
Our hero, Lindsay, 35, is reserved, kind, and generous. Lindsay's nephew Stephen is a great guy. Stephen's mother/Lindsay's sister is warm-hearted and accepting. Even the cat is an enjoyable character.
Thea's mother died and left her penniless, so she turns to her cousin Geraldine, her only living relative. She meets Lindsay when he picks her up from the depot instead of Geraldine. She lives with Geraldine while she attends business college. Thea starts dating Stephen. While Stephen and his mom are in the US on business, an accident happens which changes Thea's life forever, leaving her with one choice.
[This is the second time she has used the name Lindsay for a main character.]
This is the 4th book I've found by this author with no grey-eyed characters.
August 24, 2022
What a lovely book. One of Mary Burchell’s lighter stories, because some of her books can be incredibly emotional.
The heroine in this one is just so adorable, its no wonder the older, somewhat jaded Hero falls for her. She is a positive and happy young woman, that is determined to make her way in life.
She is left orphaned and penniless, so she asks her cousin, who is a wealthy and successful actress for a temporary home. The cousin doesn’t even answer her letter, but the Hero who is a friend of the actress knows of her plight and helps her out. From then on, he takes an interest in her well-being.
He even gets his young nephew to take her out so she has a friend her age.
I wont go into more details because i loved how the story developed. I loved how truly decent and honest the heroine was, a true contrast to her bitchy cousin.
❤️
The heroine in this one is just so adorable, its no wonder the older, somewhat jaded Hero falls for her. She is a positive and happy young woman, that is determined to make her way in life.
She is left orphaned and penniless, so she asks her cousin, who is a wealthy and successful actress for a temporary home. The cousin doesn’t even answer her letter, but the Hero who is a friend of the actress knows of her plight and helps her out. From then on, he takes an interest in her well-being.
He even gets his young nephew to take her out so she has a friend her age.
I wont go into more details because i loved how the story developed. I loved how truly decent and honest the heroine was, a true contrast to her bitchy cousin.
❤️
abrierto-to-read-hr-other
August 6, 2022Was Lindsay Varlon just an attractive scoundrel - or Thea's best friend in the world? Cousin Geraldine, the popular and beautiful actress, probably knew the answer, but she was not inclined to help her penniless young relative.
Then Stephen Dorley came on the scene, and Thea was able to see that ordinary, day-to-day niceness is better, after all, than exciting, but slightly dangerous uncertainty. Or is it?
Then Stephen Dorley came on the scene, and Thea was able to see that ordinary, day-to-day niceness is better, after all, than exciting, but slightly dangerous uncertainty. Or is it?
November 15, 2024
Just read the first and last 10 pages, you will save a lot of time.
May 3, 2017
Not too bad, I suppose.
[ I just dislike this 'type' of Hs... the misunderstood rake... it looks good on paper... not so much in real life. in real life, they are sleazy, with hardly a redeeming quality on the personal front. Oh well, the novel isn't bad. I just don't care for the insta-love combined with misunderstood-rake.] [edit: well, turns out our H just has a reputation. nothing concrete. oh well, that's all right then. let's just encourage young girls to ignore reputations.]
[ I just dislike this 'type' of Hs... the misunderstood rake... it looks good on paper... not so much in real life. in real life, they are sleazy, with hardly a redeeming quality on the personal front. Oh well, the novel isn't bad. I just don't care for the insta-love combined with misunderstood-rake.] [edit: well, turns out our H just has a reputation. nothing concrete. oh well, that's all right then. let's just encourage young girls to ignore reputations.]
Displaying 1 - 9 of 10 reviews