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Caroline
A brief encounter or lasting love?
When Caroline first saw him on the elevator, she had no idea who he was. She only knew that he was tall and darkly handsome, and that she longed to see him again. Later she would discover that the magnetic stranger was Adam Steinbeck, wealthy owner of the company where she worked as a typist. Caroline's friends warned her about getting involved with a sophisticated man who mas more than twice her age. Even Adam's son did his best to stop her. But Caroline, in her youthful innocence, listened only to the dictate of her heart.
When Caroline first saw him on the elevator, she had no idea who he was. She only knew that he was tall and darkly handsome, and that she longed to see him again. Later she would discover that the magnetic stranger was Adam Steinbeck, wealthy owner of the company where she worked as a typist. Caroline's friends warned her about getting involved with a sophisticated man who mas more than twice her age. Even Adam's son did his best to stop her. But Caroline, in her youthful innocence, listened only to the dictate of her heart.
192 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1965
About the author
Anne Mather
825 books371 followersAnne Mather is the pseudonym used by Mildred Grieveson, a popular British author of over 160 romance novels. She also signed novels as Caroline Fleming and Cardine Fleming.
Mildred Grieveson began to write down stories in her childhood years. The first novel that she actually finished, Caroline (1965), was also her first book to be published. Her novel, Leopard in the Snow (1974), was developed into a 1978 film.
Mildred Grieveson began to write down stories in her childhood years. The first novel that she actually finished, Caroline (1965), was also her first book to be published. Her novel, Leopard in the Snow (1974), was developed into a 1978 film.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews
March 10, 2019
Like someone took Charlotte Lamb's crisp, sharp, delicious Father-Son-Heroine love triangle tale Temptation and dumped it into a pot of boiling water, wringing all flavors and texture out of it, leaving only a bunch of soggy, limp noodles behind.
February 8, 2016
This hero is not going to live to 50. The first thing I noticed was the smoking, and I was raised by two smokers. Every scene he had a cig. There has been such a cultural change.
Anyhow, back to our H and h. Not a bad little story for 1964. The changes since then are interesting to read about.
Caroline falls for the H although she is actually younger than his son. She's 17, and he's in his kate 30s. More is made of the economic differences than their age though.
They fall out, and she and the son start dating. Personally I find any cross-dating in a family very creepy and distasteful, but this is so sanitized and sedate they get by with it.
Good read for a very light romance as well as some anachronistic details.
Anyhow, back to our H and h. Not a bad little story for 1964. The changes since then are interesting to read about.
Caroline falls for the H although she is actually younger than his son. She's 17, and he's in his kate 30s. More is made of the economic differences than their age though.
They fall out, and she and the son start dating. Personally I find any cross-dating in a family very creepy and distasteful, but this is so sanitized and sedate they get by with it.
Good read for a very light romance as well as some anachronistic details.
April 29, 2013
This did not stand up on a second read. It was good storytelling and a great first effort by Anne Mather. You can see even back then that she was going to push the envelope and send readers outside their comfort zone. (A Mather trademark)
On the first read, I found the heroine to be enchanting, refreshing, but a bit naive. This time around, the heroine just annoyed me; She was a tasteless opportunist. There was nothing enchanting about her. I can't believe she could keep the interest of a suave, cool, and sophisticated 40 year old. Getting engaged to his son, was a bit "de trop". Seriously, talk about sloppy seconds. I give this relationship 6 months before the hero calls it quits. Who would blame him?
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I really enjoyed this one. Anne Mather's earlier works were rather good and I am finding the few that I have read recently have stood the test of time. This one was no exception.
Caroline is a May/December romance. He is almost 40, she is barely 18. They meet by accident at the elevator where she works, but she doesn't recognize him since she has only worked there for a few weeks. It so happens he is President and CEO. They have instant chemistry and he invites her to lunch which turns into a few dinners, and a weekend visit to his country home. Of course, he is the jealous type, she is the foolish type. So it's not surprising that they screw up their relationship. The rest of the story is about how they find their way back to each other.
Typically this type of story, would not appeal to me, but surprisingly I enjoyed this one a lot.
On the first read, I found the heroine to be enchanting, refreshing, but a bit naive. This time around, the heroine just annoyed me; She was a tasteless opportunist. There was nothing enchanting about her. I can't believe she could keep the interest of a suave, cool, and sophisticated 40 year old. Getting engaged to his son, was a bit "de trop". Seriously, talk about sloppy seconds. I give this relationship 6 months before the hero calls it quits. Who would blame him?
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I really enjoyed this one. Anne Mather's earlier works were rather good and I am finding the few that I have read recently have stood the test of time. This one was no exception.
Caroline is a May/December romance. He is almost 40, she is barely 18. They meet by accident at the elevator where she works, but she doesn't recognize him since she has only worked there for a few weeks. It so happens he is President and CEO. They have instant chemistry and he invites her to lunch which turns into a few dinners, and a weekend visit to his country home. Of course, he is the jealous type, she is the foolish type. So it's not surprising that they screw up their relationship. The rest of the story is about how they find their way back to each other.
Typically this type of story, would not appeal to me, but surprisingly I enjoyed this one a lot.
March 26, 2012
This actually wasn't a bad read. Much better than I expected for a book written in 1965. This was Anne Mather's first book and she wrote it at the age of 19. I find that absolutely amazing. This book has more polish than you would expect in a first effort and has more sophistication than was typical in 1960's Mills and Boone books from much more mature authors.
May 1, 2014
4 Stars ~ Caroline has only been working in the Steinbeck typing pool for two weeks, so she doesn't recognize that the gorgeous man in the elevator with her is actually the Company's CEO. She's not shy, and groans that she's late and that her supervisor is going to be upset. Adam find the young woman refreshingly charming and when he gets to his office he quietly calls down to the supervisor and smooths Caroline's way. The next week Caroline awakes to discover her roommate has come down with flu and spending extra time to get her comfortable, she now late again. To make matters worse, the London fog has set in and the buses are running late as well. This time her supervisor sends her to the HR department for a talking to, and Caroline worries that she'll be fired if she's late once more. And she's sure that's to happen because she'll have to stop home at lunch to check on her roommate, and it doesn't look like the fog has lifted any. But as she leaves the building she bumps into that gorgeous elevator man, and he offers to give her a lift. And much to her surprise he waits to give her a ride back, but insists on buying her lunch first. As they enter the restaurant the maitre d calls him Mr. Steinbeck, and Caroline realizes just who she's with. At first she's quite flustered, but Adam sets her at ease and they begin to get to know each other. Adam's very conscious of how young Caroline is, she's a few months shy of 18, and he's almost 39, in fact he has a son about her age. But's she's very mature and she enchants him. While Caroline doesn't see age as a problem, she is however self-conscious because he is so wealthy and doesn't want to be an embarrassment to him as it's obvious she barely makes her ends meet. Quickly however, their relationship builds, and Adam leads her to believe he wants a future with her. When Adam goes away for a week on business, one of the office Don Juans teases Caroline about her dating the big boss, worried that there's gossip and how this would upset Adam, she accepts the a date with the man, only to take the focus off Adam. She hadn't realized what a Don Juan she'd agreed to date, and when Adam returns he assumes she dated the man because she prefers someone younger and more exciting. So he ends their relationship without letting Caroline explain how naively she'd only been thinking of stemming the office gossip. A couple of month's later Caroline bumps into Adam's son, John and he insists on taking her out. Caroline is drawn to John as he's so like his father. When John grows to have feelings for her, Caroline makes it clear that she's still in love with his father but John doesn't care he wants her anyway.
Adam is a bit jaded from his first marriage and he doesn't ever expect to find love, but when he meets Caroline and she's totally oblivious to the fact that he's the boss, he finds himself enchanted with her beauty and innocence. Caroline knows from their first meeting that Adam is a man she could easily love but she fears he's out of her league. While this is not as polished a story as Ms. Mather's later works, I enjoyed reading it very much. This is definitely a romance I would have read over and over again as a teen. Very romantic.
This is Ms. Mather's debut and it was published in 1965 when she was 19. While Ms. Mather was married and a mother when this was published, her youthful voice shines and is quite delightful. I think it's important to know this about the author as the book is read, so that the real charm of the story can be appreciated.
Adam is a bit jaded from his first marriage and he doesn't ever expect to find love, but when he meets Caroline and she's totally oblivious to the fact that he's the boss, he finds himself enchanted with her beauty and innocence. Caroline knows from their first meeting that Adam is a man she could easily love but she fears he's out of her league. While this is not as polished a story as Ms. Mather's later works, I enjoyed reading it very much. This is definitely a romance I would have read over and over again as a teen. Very romantic.
This is Ms. Mather's debut and it was published in 1965 when she was 19. While Ms. Mather was married and a mother when this was published, her youthful voice shines and is quite delightful. I think it's important to know this about the author as the book is read, so that the real charm of the story can be appreciated.
May 2, 2021
Caroline is the first book that Anne Mather wrote, in 1965 when she was just 19. While her talent is already apparent, it's a very naive work in many ways. 17-year-old Caroline has lunch and a dinner date (yes - literally just two dates) with her handsome boss 39-year-old Adam Steinbeck.
After this briefest of brief relationships, if one can even call it that:
Adam, a widowed business tycoon and father of a grown-up son, has also supposedly fallen in love with Caroline but keeps holding off. There are many moments when Adam himself seems emotionally more like a teenage girl than a mature, widowed, business tycoon. I can't blame Anne Mather for this, because it's exactly how I depicted "adult men" in romances I wrote in my teens.
The main problem with the book is the structure. Adam ditches Caroline and goes overseas. Caroline starts dating Adam's son John. She sees him nearly every night for weeks before even kisses her. They become engaged. John knows Caroline is in love with his father but is hoping she'll fall in love with him. They go to Paris together but don't share a bedroom. All in all they're a couple for about four solid months, compared to about four days that Caroline was "dating"
One suspects that Anne Mather may have been on the innocent side herself at this stage of her life, at least where young and amorous men were concerned. Even with the slightly more conservative mores of the 1960s there are very few blokes who would take their fiancée to Paris and book separate rooms.
Then Adam has an accident and Caroline jets off to America to see him, only to be rejected. There are endless scenes with Adam's mother whom Caroline pours her heart out to. Then Caroline falls off a cliff - no, literally - and Adam hauls her up with a clothesline. He arranges it in a slipknot around her waist: wouldn't this slice her in two? It's not an experiment I fancy trying, at any rate.
Anyway, to give some idea of the issue here:
* p.20 - Caroline starts seeing Adam
* p.78 - they separate
* p.192 - they reconcile
* p.197 - the book ends
So at least 60% of this book is Caroline not-being-with Adam, and having endless grumpy teenage angst about it. I'm also not sure why Adam needs a licence to marry Caroline, surely they could jet off to Vegas and back in a day.
This book is definitely worth a read for its historic/literary significance, as Anne Mather's debut work. But as a Romance it's not very satisfying. There just isn't enough interaction between the two protagonists to make it enjoyable.
After this briefest of brief relationships, if one can even call it that:
She was in love with this man; loved him so completely that she knew she would never be the same again.
Adam, a widowed business tycoon and father of a grown-up son, has also supposedly fallen in love with Caroline but keeps holding off. There are many moments when Adam himself seems emotionally more like a teenage girl than a mature, widowed, business tycoon. I can't blame Anne Mather for this, because it's exactly how I depicted "adult men" in romances I wrote in my teens.
"Sure, when I heard about you and Davison I was mad, flaming mad, and jealous too. The minute my back was turned there you were, out with some other kid. Okay, that was that. Maybe you had your reasons. But it made me realise that you’re only seventeen, and at seventeen you can’t be expected to remain faithful to one man. You want good times, young people to associate with, and I could not and would not want you between dates with other young men."
The main problem with the book is the structure. Adam ditches Caroline and goes overseas. Caroline starts dating Adam's son John. She sees him nearly every night for weeks before even kisses her. They become engaged. John knows Caroline is in love with his father but is hoping she'll fall in love with him. They go to Paris together but don't share a bedroom. All in all they're a couple for about four solid months, compared to about four days that Caroline was "dating"
One suspects that Anne Mather may have been on the innocent side herself at this stage of her life, at least where young and amorous men were concerned. Even with the slightly more conservative mores of the 1960s there are very few blokes who would take their fiancée to Paris and book separate rooms.
Then Adam has an accident and Caroline jets off to America to see him, only to be rejected. There are endless scenes with Adam's mother whom Caroline pours her heart out to. Then Caroline falls off a cliff - no, literally - and Adam hauls her up with a clothesline. He arranges it in a slipknot around her waist: wouldn't this slice her in two? It's not an experiment I fancy trying, at any rate.
Anyway, to give some idea of the issue here:
* p.20 - Caroline starts seeing Adam
* p.78 - they separate
* p.192 - they reconcile
* p.197 - the book ends
So at least 60% of this book is Caroline not-being-with Adam, and having endless grumpy teenage angst about it. I'm also not sure why Adam needs a licence to marry Caroline, surely they could jet off to Vegas and back in a day.
This book is definitely worth a read for its historic/literary significance, as Anne Mather's debut work. But as a Romance it's not very satisfying. There just isn't enough interaction between the two protagonists to make it enjoyable.
August 2, 2021
This book should come with a warning that it makes you want to vomit.🤮
The girl is almost 18 years old. He is almost 40 years old. They date for a while.
After he finds out that she has been dating a young man when he was out of town, he tells her that he is too old for her, that he loves her and that he doesn’t want to stand in her way. He breaks off their relationship.
And what does this idiot girl do? She starts dating his son! Omg.
She kisses his son, she goes on a holiday with his son, she even gets engaged to his son.
This girl really takes the cake. She doesn’t deserve the H (the father).
And wtf was Anne Mather smoking while writing this storyline of a young girl kissing both father and son. Ughh.
The girl is almost 18 years old. He is almost 40 years old. They date for a while.
After he finds out that she has been dating a young man when he was out of town, he tells her that he is too old for her, that he loves her and that he doesn’t want to stand in her way. He breaks off their relationship.
And what does this idiot girl do? She starts dating his son! Omg.
She kisses his son, she goes on a holiday with his son, she even gets engaged to his son.
This girl really takes the cake. She doesn’t deserve the H (the father).
And wtf was Anne Mather smoking while writing this storyline of a young girl kissing both father and son. Ughh.
May 21, 2011
This was really quite a sweet read. The heroine was so young but honest, sweet, not a gold digger. I really was shocked how young her character was but how adult she was. The hero was all sorts of fool but he eventually learned. I really wished Anne Mather books were more descriptive and passionate though.
June 21, 2020
CAROLINE by Anne Mather was the popular Harlequin writer's first novel, originally published in the UK by Robert Hale in July 1965. (Presumably not being a Mills & Boon release may explain why it was not subsequently reprinted by Harlequin in North America like most of her other novels.) My copy is the Pocket Books paperback edition, published in the US in October 1972.
The book is about the title character Caroline, who works as a typist in a large office building. Caroline is only 17, although she turns 18 around halfway through the book, and lives in modest circumstances, sharing a flat with a 19 year old friend named Amanda. The company she works for is owned by the wealthy Adam Steinbeck, an impressive man who is 39 years old (he turns 40 halfway through). Adam had a wife who passed away some years ago, and has a grown son named John attending university who is around Caroline's age. Caroline and Adam fall in love, but Adam is concerned about the age difference and when he learns that Caroline went on a date with a young man while he was away on a business trip, he ends their relationship. Caroline had only gone on the date with the unpleasant young man (a co-worker) to put to rest the rumors around the office about her and Adam, but Adam doesn't stop to hear her side of things. So, unfortunately, we have the second half of the novel all about how these two people who are clearly madly in love with each other being separated and avoiding each other. Adam's son John, who previously was hostile towards Caroline because of her involvement with his father, soon falls in love with her himself and even though she doesn't love him she agrees to be engaged to him, which makes matters worse for everyone. The story is resolved happily after a rescue scene which is a bit more dramatic in tone than the rest of the book, and yet feels like a crowd-pleasing climactic moment that one might find in an old movie.
Not being a Harlequin novel, the writing may have escaped any edits for taste (as Harlequin was known to do) since there is a mention of abortion on page 75, and this racy description (for a 1965 romance novel) on page 63: "the revers of the pyjama jacket falling apart to reveal the curve of her firm breast." The fact that this is a love story between a 17 year old (going on 18) and her 39 (going on 40) year old boss is obviously problematic, but Mather herself was only 19 and already a wife and mother when the book was published. (Anne Mather, who's real name is Mildred Grieveson, was born in 1946.) Evidently the 19 year old author was untroubled by the idea of a woman only a year younger than herself being romantically involved with a man twice her age. Caroline's relationship with the boss does help her in the office, since he is able to protect her from getting fired for being late for work, but eventually she inherits money from a relative that enables her to quit the job, removing that particular ethical problem. I found this novel to be very well-written, an impressive debut by Mather, the only drawback being the frustrating lack of communication between the two leads during the second half. I'm giving it 3.5 stars.
The book is about the title character Caroline, who works as a typist in a large office building. Caroline is only 17, although she turns 18 around halfway through the book, and lives in modest circumstances, sharing a flat with a 19 year old friend named Amanda. The company she works for is owned by the wealthy Adam Steinbeck, an impressive man who is 39 years old (he turns 40 halfway through). Adam had a wife who passed away some years ago, and has a grown son named John attending university who is around Caroline's age. Caroline and Adam fall in love, but Adam is concerned about the age difference and when he learns that Caroline went on a date with a young man while he was away on a business trip, he ends their relationship. Caroline had only gone on the date with the unpleasant young man (a co-worker) to put to rest the rumors around the office about her and Adam, but Adam doesn't stop to hear her side of things. So, unfortunately, we have the second half of the novel all about how these two people who are clearly madly in love with each other being separated and avoiding each other. Adam's son John, who previously was hostile towards Caroline because of her involvement with his father, soon falls in love with her himself and even though she doesn't love him she agrees to be engaged to him, which makes matters worse for everyone. The story is resolved happily after a rescue scene which is a bit more dramatic in tone than the rest of the book, and yet feels like a crowd-pleasing climactic moment that one might find in an old movie.
Not being a Harlequin novel, the writing may have escaped any edits for taste (as Harlequin was known to do) since there is a mention of abortion on page 75, and this racy description (for a 1965 romance novel) on page 63: "the revers of the pyjama jacket falling apart to reveal the curve of her firm breast." The fact that this is a love story between a 17 year old (going on 18) and her 39 (going on 40) year old boss is obviously problematic, but Mather herself was only 19 and already a wife and mother when the book was published. (Anne Mather, who's real name is Mildred Grieveson, was born in 1946.) Evidently the 19 year old author was untroubled by the idea of a woman only a year younger than herself being romantically involved with a man twice her age. Caroline's relationship with the boss does help her in the office, since he is able to protect her from getting fired for being late for work, but eventually she inherits money from a relative that enables her to quit the job, removing that particular ethical problem. I found this novel to be very well-written, an impressive debut by Mather, the only drawback being the frustrating lack of communication between the two leads during the second half. I'm giving it 3.5 stars.
September 16, 2014
A truly tender loving romance. A beautiful love story from 1965 that really is so well written that it is actually timeless. Anne Mather is a truly gifted storyteller of romance. This a wonderful tale of love at first sight that defies the age & social gap between them. The magic that sparks between our lovers is so well weaved into the written word that you can see the glow of love that enfolds them. In the short time span this tale embraces we see our lovers fall in love; part; then find each other again. Watching them fall in love is so sweet but a envious woman & man tell a lie that makes our hero Adam question if she really is mature enough to be in love & makes him doubt their love; so he lies to Caroline & then leaves her broken hearted. Caroline has a chance encounter with Adam's son (who is few years older than her) & he reminds her of Adam so she starts to hang out with him as she feels closer to Adam. The son falls in love with Caroline & presses for an engagement; expressing her doubts & love of Adam she is not sure. They agree to be engaged but if one wants out then the engagement is off. Caroline starts to realize that the son really not mature but spoiled & breaks off the engagement. Caroline is not able to forget Adam & doubts she every could so when he is injuried she flies to his side hoping that the love is still there. Adam is mad, hurt, & jealous so he says some mean things to her leaving her in tears & heartbroken. His mother is able to get their story from Caroline & realizes that they really are in love & perfect for each other. After his mother explains the misunderstanding that happened & that Caroline loves him; Adam feels confident in their love that he makes everything right........& they live happily ever after.
February 28, 2016
Ok I have to say this the smoking in this book was sooooooo gross. I mean they are either eating talking or smoking and all without mouthwash they are kissing!!! Omg I can't believe how much it bothered me. The whole idea of the book was totally over done and of course because she was a young 17 year old girl and he was a 40ish man it was a little gross. Also his son goes out and makes out with the heroine! Really how about that for gross after his dad has had a try at her of course! Just making sure she is good and ready for the son I guess!?? Really did not get this whole story was just stupid!!! However it was written by Anne Mather so you know it's a well written book just not as good as her other books that came later. It's a solid 2 and 1/2.
July 30, 2013
Did everyone really smoke so much in the 70s?
I really liked this early Anne Mather book. It was actually better than some of her later stuff. It felt like a more well-rounded story and the characters were likable.
OH, and the age difference between the H and h was huge! 21 years! But, thank god, the hero was a hot 39 year old.
I really liked this early Anne Mather book. It was actually better than some of her later stuff. It felt like a more well-rounded story and the characters were likable.
OH, and the age difference between the H and h was huge! 21 years! But, thank god, the hero was a hot 39 year old.
February 7, 2018
Loved this sweet story. May/ December.
Adore the cover!
Adore the cover!
January 25, 2017
An interesting book.
Caroline falls for Adam, a man 20 years older than she is. But because of a stupid decision made while he was on business, he thought she was playing with him and dumped her. Then she started dating his son John, while still in love with Adam.
I enjoyed the book. It was beautifully written, the characters were interesting and the plot - disturbing. But I still enjoyed it.
Another reviewer commented on the smoking in the book. I understand that the non-smoking thing is a pretty recent development, but they were smoking in a hospital! Adam was injured in an accident and was admitted to hospital and he was smoking!! That blew my mind!
This one may take another reading to truly appreciate. But it's on the ..."eh, maybe" shelf for now.
Caroline falls for Adam, a man 20 years older than she is. But because of a stupid decision made while he was on business, he thought she was playing with him and dumped her. Then she started dating his son John, while still in love with Adam.
I enjoyed the book. It was beautifully written, the characters were interesting and the plot - disturbing. But I still enjoyed it.
Another reviewer commented on the smoking in the book. I understand that the non-smoking thing is a pretty recent development, but they were smoking in a hospital! Adam was injured in an accident and was admitted to hospital and he was smoking!! That blew my mind!
This one may take another reading to truly appreciate. But it's on the ..."eh, maybe" shelf for now.
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April 2, 2011V, Thanks for loaning me this 1965 Anne Mather classic. I am glad to have had the chance to re-read it. I remember loving it when I read it many years ago and while I was very happy to get the opportunity to revisit the 1960's, my memories of the book were better than the reality of reading it as an adult. Still a lovely teenaged memory!
April 2, 2017
It's nice sometimes to read old books. Easy read and simple plot but it was nice.
March 5, 2020
Beautiful. LOVED IT SO MUCH.
January 27, 2020
Spoilers for this book and Caroline Lambs Temptation.
First, the hero and heroine spend half the book separately. Apparently a thing with the author but I do not enjoy reading about two people meet, breakup mid-book and then come together in the last TEN pages after an accident. Again. See Dangerous Enchantment for the same recipe by the same author. But to be honest this one was better done.
Second. They’re out on their 3rd date and suddenly they’re into dear, darling, honey, my love. Come again? You’re left wondering where that came from. Or her decision she’s in love with him after their second date. Or his ‘I’m thinking long term’ after the third date. Guys! What are you doing? I don’t have a problem with insta anything but this is not well done.
It did feel like a watered down less fun version of Temptation. We have the same age gap (17-38 here, 17-39 there) and then all the outrageous details are dulled / made proper.
-The hero is a widower not married
-They only kiss not have sex
-The son knows about the relationship no drama in dads bedroom with the three of them when he finds out. Why is the heroine here deliberately dating the son? And getting engaged to him! Why? Whyyyyy? Less drama than Temptation. More stupidity.
-The hero is noble and doesn’t go after the heroine. Ugh!
So similar but boring and chaste.
No thanks. Get rolling on the grass already and the hell with your sons feelings! I want drama! Not half a book of descriptions of your 6 month proper pinning.
First, the hero and heroine spend half the book separately. Apparently a thing with the author but I do not enjoy reading about two people meet, breakup mid-book and then come together in the last TEN pages after an accident. Again. See Dangerous Enchantment for the same recipe by the same author. But to be honest this one was better done.
Second. They’re out on their 3rd date and suddenly they’re into dear, darling, honey, my love. Come again? You’re left wondering where that came from. Or her decision she’s in love with him after their second date. Or his ‘I’m thinking long term’ after the third date. Guys! What are you doing? I don’t have a problem with insta anything but this is not well done.
It did feel like a watered down less fun version of Temptation. We have the same age gap (17-38 here, 17-39 there) and then all the outrageous details are dulled / made proper.
-The hero is a widower not married
-They only kiss not have sex
-The son knows about the relationship no drama in dads bedroom with the three of them when he finds out. Why is the heroine here deliberately dating the son? And getting engaged to him! Why? Whyyyyy? Less drama than Temptation. More stupidity.
-The hero is noble and doesn’t go after the heroine. Ugh!
So similar but boring and chaste.
No thanks. Get rolling on the grass already and the hell with your sons feelings! I want drama! Not half a book of descriptions of your 6 month proper pinning.
May 5, 2016
May December romance!, October 1, 2008
This review is from: Caroline (Curley Large Print Books) (Paperback)
I got this book because I saw one reviewer put this on her wish list ~_~ and since I also like Anne Mather. If I'm not mistaken this is one of her first books. The heroine just turned 18 and the hero is 40! He is a widower and has a son her age. Hero and heroine had a chance encounter on an elevator and heroine did not know it was the big boss so she was very friendly and free with him aka showing him her true self and charm and of course the hero is intrigued by her and falls in love with her ^_^ But he is very hung up on their age gap so that causes some misunderstanding with them as well as another rival for his affections which can be considered shocking =P Anyhoo, I actually liked this book. I know the age gap can be considered extreme but I still believe in the saying "love conquers all." And I thought it was sweet that the hero left Caroline alone so he really gave her the chance to discover what she really wants and loves. The other rival does seem predictable - I already knew that he'd try something. But it was still kinda believable to me since Caroline probably felt if she can't have the hero (at least she thought so!) maybe the next best thing is better or maybe she can still be close to the hero even though she's not with the hero. anyway, this book will be in my keeper shelf.
This review is from: Caroline (Curley Large Print Books) (Paperback)
I got this book because I saw one reviewer put this on her wish list ~_~ and since I also like Anne Mather. If I'm not mistaken this is one of her first books. The heroine just turned 18 and the hero is 40! He is a widower and has a son her age. Hero and heroine had a chance encounter on an elevator and heroine did not know it was the big boss so she was very friendly and free with him aka showing him her true self and charm and of course the hero is intrigued by her and falls in love with her ^_^ But he is very hung up on their age gap so that causes some misunderstanding with them as well as another rival for his affections which can be considered shocking =P Anyhoo, I actually liked this book. I know the age gap can be considered extreme but I still believe in the saying "love conquers all." And I thought it was sweet that the hero left Caroline alone so he really gave her the chance to discover what she really wants and loves. The other rival does seem predictable - I already knew that he'd try something. But it was still kinda believable to me since Caroline probably felt if she can't have the hero (at least she thought so!) maybe the next best thing is better or maybe she can still be close to the hero even though she's not with the hero. anyway, this book will be in my keeper shelf.
February 6, 2026
What The Hell is this mess all about! -1000 stars .
Nothing about it makes sense.
They met and dated for a WEEK , ONE WEEK , and broken up for months upon months with no contact , so please explain to me where did this love come from?
The heroine decided that going out with someone is a good idea because she was trying not to attract attention to them as a couple, despite how weird it is ,it was an understandable decision as she is 17.
However. she goes later on to date the hero's son for months. Then gets engaged to him and all this time it is because of her love to the hero!
So now how do you get your self out of this mess?.. Yes you got it ..not one but TWO back to back
life-threatening accidents , one for each. My only consolation is that they both will die soon due to smoking all the time. .
Nothing about it makes sense.
They met and dated for a WEEK , ONE WEEK , and broken up for months upon months with no contact , so please explain to me where did this love come from?
The heroine decided that going out with someone is a good idea because she was trying not to attract attention to them as a couple, despite how weird it is ,it was an understandable decision as she is 17.
However. she goes later on to date the hero's son for months. Then gets engaged to him and all this time it is because of her love to the hero!
So now how do you get your self out of this mess?.. Yes you got it ..not one but TWO back to back
life-threatening accidents , one for each. My only consolation is that they both will die soon due to smoking all the time. .
June 3, 2014
gud enough though a bit childish! how a girl of 17 fell in love wid a man of 40, i call dat cradle snatching and add to dat, caroline was really just a kid at heart.. i cud believe it if she was mature for her years but dat was not the case! and i did not appreciate how she led john on to get back at adam! ofc she denies ever involving john for thoughts of revenge but revenge it seemed to me!and obsession as well. she was so obsessed wid adam she was ready to marry his son so as not lose touch wid adam. seriously is dat a woman who wud suit a man of 40!? this clearly shows she's only a lil teenager girl! the book was still very enjoyable though and does entertain..so i gave it 3stars!:-)
Read
November 29, 2015Sweet and fresh to read in the beginning. It failed me when the h engaged to H's son. I am not into one girl between father and son thing.
Did Not Finish
July 15, 2022I wasn't enjoying this enough to finish this, but it was very interesting to me; it reads as though the author took all the usual tropes around romance between social classes and tried to displace them onto an age gap without really thinking it through. The eponymous Caroline is about 18, working at her first job as a typist, and catches the interest of Adam, the wealthy and powerful CEO of the company she works for. Thus far it's pretty much a set-up for a typical Cinderella story, and I was expecting a lot of fuss stemming both from Caroline and her friends (and maybe also coming Adam's friends or family or business partners) about whether or not Caroline is an appropriate choice as a partner -- does she have the skills she needs to function socially as Adam's wife? Is she educated enough to entertain his associates and run his household? Will she make appropriate choices in clothing and so forth, so that she can demonstrate his wealth with the proper level of taste? (And to be clear, I do think this is mostly nonsense, but it is the nonsense I am used to and was expecting!)
Instead, though, the problem is that Adam is twice Caroline's age -- and yes, that is definitely a problem! But it isn't the modern problem of power and taking advantage, it is the same class problems -- there's drama over how she dresses because she's trying to dress up to what she thinks a sophisticated adult woman would wear, and he likes her looking all pure and innocent. (In the class version of the story she would be wearing tawdry finery and he would rather have her in well-made clothes even if they are old and faded.) Her friends warn her that because she's young she won't possibly be able to keep him interested -- lack of sexual experience, basically, but they don't say it directly, and in the class version this would be her lack of education so she can't talk to him about theatre and such properly. And it's also worth noting that while Adam is wealthy and powerful, he doesn't actually seem to be upper-class -- his own finery is pretty darn tawdry, Vegas-style fancy rather than actual fancy.
Anyway, it was a very odd reading experience, but not an enjoyable one, especially as it was somewhat rapey and very melodramatic, so I did give up halfway through. I know Mather wrote this very young, but I do wonder what she was thinking about the age vs. class thing, or if she was thinking about it at all.
Instead, though, the problem is that Adam is twice Caroline's age -- and yes, that is definitely a problem! But it isn't the modern problem of power and taking advantage, it is the same class problems -- there's drama over how she dresses because she's trying to dress up to what she thinks a sophisticated adult woman would wear, and he likes her looking all pure and innocent. (In the class version of the story she would be wearing tawdry finery and he would rather have her in well-made clothes even if they are old and faded.) Her friends warn her that because she's young she won't possibly be able to keep him interested -- lack of sexual experience, basically, but they don't say it directly, and in the class version this would be her lack of education so she can't talk to him about theatre and such properly. And it's also worth noting that while Adam is wealthy and powerful, he doesn't actually seem to be upper-class -- his own finery is pretty darn tawdry, Vegas-style fancy rather than actual fancy.
Anyway, it was a very odd reading experience, but not an enjoyable one, especially as it was somewhat rapey and very melodramatic, so I did give up halfway through. I know Mather wrote this very young, but I do wonder what she was thinking about the age vs. class thing, or if she was thinking about it at all.
March 20, 2021
Typing pool secretary bumps into the tycoon boss man in the company lift. Sparks fly, mild flirtation ensues, relationship develops. All accepted diktats of romantic fiction. The only trouble is - she is 17 and he is almost 40!
You can't even blame the guy for seducing an innocent in this story. The girl is totally up for it, right from the start. Even before she figured out that the guy she is salivating over is the ultimate boss man! When things start heating up a bit between them, the hero decides its just not fair to the young girl and backs out. He also suspects her of not being serious about him, because she goes on a 'date' with another colleague when the boss man is out of town on business.
By a weird unexplained coincidence, the hero's son comes in contact with the girl next. And proceeds to befriend her. There is also the girl's room mate in the picture, just to make a foursome. So that the author can conveniently pair off the son with the roomie at the end. After causing some chaos with the father-son-girl triangle !
Nothing very riveting happens. They just reconcile to the age difference and settle for a HEA.
You can't even blame the guy for seducing an innocent in this story. The girl is totally up for it, right from the start. Even before she figured out that the guy she is salivating over is the ultimate boss man! When things start heating up a bit between them, the hero decides its just not fair to the young girl and backs out. He also suspects her of not being serious about him, because she goes on a 'date' with another colleague when the boss man is out of town on business.
By a weird unexplained coincidence, the hero's son comes in contact with the girl next. And proceeds to befriend her. There is also the girl's room mate in the picture, just to make a foursome. So that the author can conveniently pair off the son with the roomie at the end. After causing some chaos with the father-son-girl triangle !
Nothing very riveting happens. They just reconcile to the age difference and settle for a HEA.
May 5, 2025
"Caroline" is the story of Caroline and Adam.
Firstly, this is a dated May December romance.
The heroine is 17, and hero is almost forty. She works for his company, they meet by chance and both are unaware of each other's identities. Mad attraction ensues, heroine even ends up meeting the hero's son, and then due to misunderstandings and age gap the hero breaks up with her.
Now the heroine CANNOT let him go, and circumstances make her start dating his son! To be fair, she is honest that she DOES find his dad more attractive, but as she is dumped is dating him and soon gets engaged to him. Loads of drama ensues, the heroine remains obsessed with the hero, after an almost accident she finally gets the proposal she dreamed of from the right man.
If you don't mind the crazy smitten heroine, a couple who smokes in EVERY scene, and the massive age gap- this will be the romance for you. Otherwise an OK read.
SWE/ Unsafe
2.5/5
Firstly, this is a dated May December romance.
The heroine is 17, and hero is almost forty. She works for his company, they meet by chance and both are unaware of each other's identities. Mad attraction ensues, heroine even ends up meeting the hero's son, and then due to misunderstandings and age gap the hero breaks up with her.
Now the heroine CANNOT let him go, and circumstances make her start dating his son! To be fair, she is honest that she DOES find his dad more attractive, but as she is dumped is dating him and soon gets engaged to him. Loads of drama ensues, the heroine remains obsessed with the hero, after an almost accident she finally gets the proposal she dreamed of from the right man.
If you don't mind the crazy smitten heroine, a couple who smokes in EVERY scene, and the massive age gap- this will be the romance for you. Otherwise an OK read.
SWE/ Unsafe
2.5/5
abrierto-to-read-hr-other
June 6, 2020A brief encounter or lasting love?
When Caroline first saw him on the elevator, she had no idea who he was. She only knew that he was tall and darkly handsome—and that she longed to see him again.
Later she would discover that the magnetic stranger was Adam Steinbeck—wealthy owner of the company where she worked as a typist.
Caroline's friends warned her about getting involved with a sophisticated man who was more than twice her age. Even Adam's son did his best to stop her. But Caroline, in her youthful innocence, listened only to the dictates of her heart.
When Caroline first saw him on the elevator, she had no idea who he was. She only knew that he was tall and darkly handsome—and that she longed to see him again.
Later she would discover that the magnetic stranger was Adam Steinbeck—wealthy owner of the company where she worked as a typist.
Caroline's friends warned her about getting involved with a sophisticated man who was more than twice her age. Even Adam's son did his best to stop her. But Caroline, in her youthful innocence, listened only to the dictates of her heart.
July 15, 2025
Vintage Love Story 1965:
In the real world the plot’s circumstances could be called cradle snatching but in the fantasy world of romantic novels it’s called love conquers all including the wide gap of Hero’s and Heroine’s age difference!
Caroline is the first published book and a well written love story by a young 19 year old Anne Mather.
This novel sets the pace of her subsequent books stamped with that Anne Mather signature brand of out of ordinary intriguing plots froth with just the right measure of sexual tension when Hero and Heroine are at each other’s presence.
CYA’58
In the real world the plot’s circumstances could be called cradle snatching but in the fantasy world of romantic novels it’s called love conquers all including the wide gap of Hero’s and Heroine’s age difference!
Caroline is the first published book and a well written love story by a young 19 year old Anne Mather.
This novel sets the pace of her subsequent books stamped with that Anne Mather signature brand of out of ordinary intriguing plots froth with just the right measure of sexual tension when Hero and Heroine are at each other’s presence.
CYA’58
November 18, 2025
Second time I've read it. Don't remember disliking the book or the heroine the first time but this time she really grated on my nerves and really showed her age. Felt abit creepy with the hero wanting her to stay "unsophisticated" and only apparent reason for him falling in love that i could see where her looks, and she looked young...🤮 and then we had all that time spent with H's son and h making out with said son. NO just NO!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 6, 2017
It was probably ok in its day
The book is very 1965. The story made me feel uncomfortable but I will admit this may be due to the very big age gap between the two main characters : she is 17 and he is 40. They smoke a lot too. Not sure going out with and getting engaged to his son helps make the story any more believable.
The book is very 1965. The story made me feel uncomfortable but I will admit this may be due to the very big age gap between the two main characters : she is 17 and he is 40. They smoke a lot too. Not sure going out with and getting engaged to his son helps make the story any more believable.
February 4, 2023
I used to read a lot of Anne Mather novels in my teens. (They were called the Bouquet series in the Netherlands.) Out of all the Mills and Boon authors she has always been my favourite. Her stories stood out from the rest and have always given me great joy and comfort. Going back to her books now I'm nearing my 6th decade on this earth feels like meeting an old friend again ❤️
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