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Last Summer
He spent his lifetime running from his past...
Right from the start Maggie Mayfield knew Johnnie Irish was trouble. The sexy Hollywood star had returned to his hometown of Hope, Texas, to a hero's welcome. But for Maggie the notorious bad boy was nothing but bad news—until she discovered the tragic secret behind his reckless ways, until she found the hidden sweetness in his cynical smile...
She risked her future on the promise of his love...
Johnnie knew he shouldn't have come back, knew he could never forgive this stark desert town for turning its back on a boy just struggling to survive. But all thoughts of revenge faded when he met widowed schoolteacher Maggie Mayfield. Passionate and caring, she seemed to sense the yearning behind his cocky swagger, the pain and loneliness he had tried so hard to escape. Against all reason, Maggie believed in him. And now he had to find the strength to confront his demons—or lose the only woman he could ever love...
Right from the start Maggie Mayfield knew Johnnie Irish was trouble. The sexy Hollywood star had returned to his hometown of Hope, Texas, to a hero's welcome. But for Maggie the notorious bad boy was nothing but bad news—until she discovered the tragic secret behind his reckless ways, until she found the hidden sweetness in his cynical smile...
She risked her future on the promise of his love...
Johnnie knew he shouldn't have come back, knew he could never forgive this stark desert town for turning its back on a boy just struggling to survive. But all thoughts of revenge faded when he met widowed schoolteacher Maggie Mayfield. Passionate and caring, she seemed to sense the yearning behind his cocky swagger, the pain and loneliness he had tried so hard to escape. Against all reason, Maggie believed in him. And now he had to find the strength to confront his demons—or lose the only woman he could ever love...
248 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 30, 1992
46 people are currently reading
554 people want to read
About the author
Theresa Weir
32 books314 followersTheresa Weir (a.k.a. Anne Frasier) is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of novels and numerous short stories that have spanned the genres of suspense, mystery, thriller, romantic suspense, paranormal, fantasy, and memoir. During her award-winning career, she's written for Penguin Putnam, Simon & Schuster, HarperCollins Publishers, Bantam Books/Random House, Silhouette Books, Grand Central Publishing/Hachette, and Amazon's Thomas & Mercer. Her titles have been printed in both hardcover and paperback and translated into twenty languages.
Her first memoir, THE ORCHARD, was a 2011 Oprah Magazine Fall Pick, Number Two on the Indie Next list, a featured B+ review in Entertainment Weekly, and a Librarians’ Best Books of 2011. Her second memoir, THE MAN WHO LEFT, was a New York Times Bestseller. Going back to 1988, Weir’s debut title was the cult phenomenon AMAZON LILY, initially published by Pocket Books and later reissued by Bantam Books. Writing as Theresa Weir, she won a RITA for romantic suspense (COOL SHADE), and a year later the Daphne du Maurier for paranormal romance (BAD KARMA). In her more recent Anne Frasier career, her thriller and suspense titles hit the USA Today list (HUSH, SLEEP TIGHT, PLAY DEAD) and were featured in Mystery Guild, Literary Guild, and Book of the Month Club. HUSH was both a RITA and Daphne du Maurier finalist.
THE ORCHARD
An Oprah Magazine Fall Pick
Featured B+ Review in Entertainment Weekly
Number Two on October Indie Next List
BJ's Book Club Spotlight
LIbrarians' Best Books of 2011
Maclean's Top Books of 2011
On Point (NPR) Best Books of 2011
Abrams Best of 2011
Publishers Lunch (Publishers Weekly) Favorite Books of 2011
Eighth Annual One Book, One Community 2012, Excelsior, Minnesota
Target Book Club Pick, September 2012
www.theresaweir.com
Title List
Writing as ANNE FRASIER
Hush, USA Today bestseller, RITA finalist, Daphne du Maurier finalist (2002)
Sleep Tight, USA Today bestseller (2003)
Play Dead, USA Today bestseller (2004)
Before I Wake (2005)
Pale Immortal (2006)
Garden of Darkness, RITA finalist (2007)
Once Upon a Crime anthology, Santa’s Little Helper (2009)
The Lineup, Poems on Crime, Home (2010)
Discount Noir anthology, Crack House (2010)
Deadly Treats Halloween anthology, editor and contributor, The Replacement (September 2011)
Once Upon a Crime anthology, Red Cadillac (April 2012)
Woman in a Black Veil (July 2012)
Dark: Volume 1 (short stories, July 2012)
Dark: Volume 2 (short stories, July 2012)
Black Tupelo (short-story collection July 2012)
Girls from the North Country (short story, August 2012)
Made of Stars (short story, August 2012)
Stars (short story collection, August 2012)
Zero Plus Seven (anthology, 2013)
Stay Dead (April 2014)
Writing as THERESA WEIR
The Forever Man (1988)
Amazon Lily, RITA finalist, Best New Adventure Writer award, Romantic Times (1988)
Loving Jenny (1989)
Pictures of Emily (1990)
Iguana Bay (1990)
Forever (1991)
Last Summer (1992)
One Fine Day (1994)
Long Night Moon, Reviewer’s Choice Award, Romantic Times (1995)
American Dreamer (1997)
Some Kind of Magic (1998)
Cool Shade RITA winner, romantic suspense (1998)
Bad Karma, Daphne du Maurier award, paranormal (1999)
Max Under the Stars, short story (2010)
The Orchard, a memoir (September 2011)
The Man Who Left , a memoir and New York Times bestseller (April 2012)
The Girl with the Cat Tattoo (June 2012)
Made of Stars (August 2012)
Come As You Are (October 2013)
The Geek with the Cat Tattoo (December 2013)
Her first memoir, THE ORCHARD, was a 2011 Oprah Magazine Fall Pick, Number Two on the Indie Next list, a featured B+ review in Entertainment Weekly, and a Librarians’ Best Books of 2011. Her second memoir, THE MAN WHO LEFT, was a New York Times Bestseller. Going back to 1988, Weir’s debut title was the cult phenomenon AMAZON LILY, initially published by Pocket Books and later reissued by Bantam Books. Writing as Theresa Weir, she won a RITA for romantic suspense (COOL SHADE), and a year later the Daphne du Maurier for paranormal romance (BAD KARMA). In her more recent Anne Frasier career, her thriller and suspense titles hit the USA Today list (HUSH, SLEEP TIGHT, PLAY DEAD) and were featured in Mystery Guild, Literary Guild, and Book of the Month Club. HUSH was both a RITA and Daphne du Maurier finalist.
THE ORCHARD
An Oprah Magazine Fall Pick
Featured B+ Review in Entertainment Weekly
Number Two on October Indie Next List
BJ's Book Club Spotlight
LIbrarians' Best Books of 2011
Maclean's Top Books of 2011
On Point (NPR) Best Books of 2011
Abrams Best of 2011
Publishers Lunch (Publishers Weekly) Favorite Books of 2011
Eighth Annual One Book, One Community 2012, Excelsior, Minnesota
Target Book Club Pick, September 2012
www.theresaweir.com
Title List
Writing as ANNE FRASIER
Hush, USA Today bestseller, RITA finalist, Daphne du Maurier finalist (2002)
Sleep Tight, USA Today bestseller (2003)
Play Dead, USA Today bestseller (2004)
Before I Wake (2005)
Pale Immortal (2006)
Garden of Darkness, RITA finalist (2007)
Once Upon a Crime anthology, Santa’s Little Helper (2009)
The Lineup, Poems on Crime, Home (2010)
Discount Noir anthology, Crack House (2010)
Deadly Treats Halloween anthology, editor and contributor, The Replacement (September 2011)
Once Upon a Crime anthology, Red Cadillac (April 2012)
Woman in a Black Veil (July 2012)
Dark: Volume 1 (short stories, July 2012)
Dark: Volume 2 (short stories, July 2012)
Black Tupelo (short-story collection July 2012)
Girls from the North Country (short story, August 2012)
Made of Stars (short story, August 2012)
Stars (short story collection, August 2012)
Zero Plus Seven (anthology, 2013)
Stay Dead (April 2014)
Writing as THERESA WEIR
The Forever Man (1988)
Amazon Lily, RITA finalist, Best New Adventure Writer award, Romantic Times (1988)
Loving Jenny (1989)
Pictures of Emily (1990)
Iguana Bay (1990)
Forever (1991)
Last Summer (1992)
One Fine Day (1994)
Long Night Moon, Reviewer’s Choice Award, Romantic Times (1995)
American Dreamer (1997)
Some Kind of Magic (1998)
Cool Shade RITA winner, romantic suspense (1998)
Bad Karma, Daphne du Maurier award, paranormal (1999)
Max Under the Stars, short story (2010)
The Orchard, a memoir (September 2011)
The Man Who Left , a memoir and New York Times bestseller (April 2012)
The Girl with the Cat Tattoo (June 2012)
Made of Stars (August 2012)
Come As You Are (October 2013)
The Geek with the Cat Tattoo (December 2013)
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 56 reviews
May 19, 2010
Oh My, Oh My, Oh My!
After reading this book, I made Amazon Marketplace's day and ordered her entire backlist, which for some reason is now out of print. This author is incredible. I love love love her writing style. It has the perfect mix of humor, heartache, and characters that are real enough to make you cry...and by the way...you do!
Johnnie Irish lived a nightmare growing up in the hands of an abusive, cruel, and neglectful mother. He has never recovered. He is an actor, a comedian, who uses humor to disguise his pain. He is a diabetic who is bent on destroying himself, believing himself unworthy of love.
Maggie Mayfield is a grieving widow who is also dying inside. She falls quickly for the destruction bound Johnnie and has a tough job ahead of her as she fights her feelings for him while wanting to fight FOR him at the same time.
This is a beautiful story of redemption, coming to terms with the past, living and enjoying the present, and looking forward to the gifts that tomorrow holds. It is a love story meant to steal you heart and is a story that you'll NEVER forget....Why is this author not more popular? Why have I not heard more about her? When will she write more?
Buy this book.
After reading this book, I made Amazon Marketplace's day and ordered her entire backlist, which for some reason is now out of print. This author is incredible. I love love love her writing style. It has the perfect mix of humor, heartache, and characters that are real enough to make you cry...and by the way...you do!
Johnnie Irish lived a nightmare growing up in the hands of an abusive, cruel, and neglectful mother. He has never recovered. He is an actor, a comedian, who uses humor to disguise his pain. He is a diabetic who is bent on destroying himself, believing himself unworthy of love.
Maggie Mayfield is a grieving widow who is also dying inside. She falls quickly for the destruction bound Johnnie and has a tough job ahead of her as she fights her feelings for him while wanting to fight FOR him at the same time.
This is a beautiful story of redemption, coming to terms with the past, living and enjoying the present, and looking forward to the gifts that tomorrow holds. It is a love story meant to steal you heart and is a story that you'll NEVER forget....Why is this author not more popular? Why have I not heard more about her? When will she write more?
Buy this book.
March 20, 2012
Rating 3.25
I would have rated this book higher but it seemed too morose and the hero too self-destructive about his diabetes, the heroine too much of a chicken and there was too much of separation between them.
They meet the first time when he comes to the town for a parade and ends up collapsing, she thinks it is drugs but finds out it isn't. He leaves and comes back almost a year later after he collapsed again and he stays for a while and they end up making love, but she is a coward and lets him go, he returns later, she is pregnant, doesn't tell him he is the father, he comes again when she is in labour, stays for a few weeks and leaves hurt and betrayed when he finds out she lied to him. He again comes back a year later & well this time we get a HEA.
I don't like separations really, if only the heroine had spoken up things would have been different but she was too much of a coward and had no idea how much low self-esteem the hero had, the self-loathing because of his childhood.
I did like the last chapter quite a bit, all in all the book could have been better.
I would have rated this book higher but it seemed too morose and the hero too self-destructive about his diabetes, the heroine too much of a chicken and there was too much of separation between them.
They meet the first time when he comes to the town for a parade and ends up collapsing, she thinks it is drugs but finds out it isn't. He leaves and comes back almost a year later after he collapsed again and he stays for a while and they end up making love, but she is a coward and lets him go, he returns later, she is pregnant, doesn't tell him he is the father, he comes again when she is in labour, stays for a few weeks and leaves hurt and betrayed when he finds out she lied to him. He again comes back a year later & well this time we get a HEA.
I don't like separations really, if only the heroine had spoken up things would have been different but she was too much of a coward and had no idea how much low self-esteem the hero had, the self-loathing because of his childhood.
I did like the last chapter quite a bit, all in all the book could have been better.
December 4, 2012
This book is different... in a good way.
Maggie Mayfield is a widow living a predictable, albeit relatively boring, life as a drama teacher in a small Texas town. Hope, Texas has little one could call remarkable...isolated in the Texas desert, only one highway goes in or out of the town. The biggest excitement in the town comes every Spring when the school children put on their annual play in the old opera house. The town's only claim to fame is that they produced one of Hollywood's biggest comedic stars - Johnnie Irish. Which is precisely why the town opts to ask Johnnie to appear in their Homecoming Parade. And this is how Maggie meets the notorious playboy celebrity.
Johnnie is screwed up, and he just doesn't care. His only joy comes from being in front of an audience and making them laugh. Beyond that, his life is a whirlwind of pain and shame. The extent of abuse he suffered as a child is revealed slowly over the course of this story, helping the reader to understand, and yet still be baffled by, some of the decisions Johnnie Irish makes. He is not a traditional romance hero by any means, and many of his and the heroine's behaviors are frustrating. Watching these two come together was interesting, to say the least. But they were also tender, and the reader comes to see Johnnie for who he really is. The most refreshing part of the story, the thing that makes it most worth it, is the way Theresa Weir tells it. Her writing style is brilliant, shifting from comedy to tear-inducing drama with ease. The writes the way people think, and when she's writing from a character's POV, the reader really feels like their in the character's head, thinking and feeling from their experiences.
This is a vintage contemporary from 1993, and its nineties-ness is very apparent. It is also a book where the characters are separated for long periods of time without contact.
I enjoyed this book very much, and I really liked the characters. But there were some things I couldn't get past, and which prevented me from giving it a whole 5 stars.
One:
Two:
Was a great read... if ANYTHING it was a great read solely because of Theresa Weir's amazing ability to tell a story.
Maggie Mayfield is a widow living a predictable, albeit relatively boring, life as a drama teacher in a small Texas town. Hope, Texas has little one could call remarkable...isolated in the Texas desert, only one highway goes in or out of the town. The biggest excitement in the town comes every Spring when the school children put on their annual play in the old opera house. The town's only claim to fame is that they produced one of Hollywood's biggest comedic stars - Johnnie Irish. Which is precisely why the town opts to ask Johnnie to appear in their Homecoming Parade. And this is how Maggie meets the notorious playboy celebrity.
Johnnie is screwed up, and he just doesn't care. His only joy comes from being in front of an audience and making them laugh. Beyond that, his life is a whirlwind of pain and shame. The extent of abuse he suffered as a child is revealed slowly over the course of this story, helping the reader to understand, and yet still be baffled by, some of the decisions Johnnie Irish makes. He is not a traditional romance hero by any means, and many of his and the heroine's behaviors are frustrating. Watching these two come together was interesting, to say the least. But they were also tender, and the reader comes to see Johnnie for who he really is. The most refreshing part of the story, the thing that makes it most worth it, is the way Theresa Weir tells it. Her writing style is brilliant, shifting from comedy to tear-inducing drama with ease. The writes the way people think, and when she's writing from a character's POV, the reader really feels like their in the character's head, thinking and feeling from their experiences.
This is a vintage contemporary from 1993, and its nineties-ness is very apparent. It is also a book where the characters are separated for long periods of time without contact.
I enjoyed this book very much, and I really liked the characters. But there were some things I couldn't get past, and which prevented me from giving it a whole 5 stars.
One:
Two:
Was a great read... if ANYTHING it was a great read solely because of Theresa Weir's amazing ability to tell a story.
June 14, 2012
Bad boy Johnnie Irish returned to Hope, Texas on a lark. His goal? To get in, get out and forget, for the last time, this miserable community where he was raised. He only cared for one person in this "nothing town in the middle of one giant litterbox." His former drama teacher, Harriet.
He met up with Maggie Mayfield who was in charge of the town parade. A young widow who missed her husband immensely, Johnnie and Maggie clashed. Little did either one know but circumstances would draw them together on more then one occasion.
At first he didn't know what to make of her. But Maggie showed Johnnie that there were people in this world with redeeming characteristics. They both concealed things but I found sweetness hidden within the pages.
Ms. Weir has a gift; the men in her stories are often anti-heroes but she makes them lovable. LAST SUMMER is dark and edgy yet heartwarming. Maggie and Johnnie both make mistakes. Neither was perfect and that was okay. It just took them longer to find out how important each of them was to each other. This story is still a keeper even though I rated it 4, more like 4.5, stars.
He met up with Maggie Mayfield who was in charge of the town parade. A young widow who missed her husband immensely, Johnnie and Maggie clashed. Little did either one know but circumstances would draw them together on more then one occasion.
At first he didn't know what to make of her. But Maggie showed Johnnie that there were people in this world with redeeming characteristics. They both concealed things but I found sweetness hidden within the pages.
Ms. Weir has a gift; the men in her stories are often anti-heroes but she makes them lovable. LAST SUMMER is dark and edgy yet heartwarming. Maggie and Johnnie both make mistakes. Neither was perfect and that was okay. It just took them longer to find out how important each of them was to each other. This story is still a keeper even though I rated it 4, more like 4.5, stars.
July 3, 2022
I really like Theresa Weir's romances. They aren't perfectly politically correct and there seems to be always perhaps a bit too much drama, but I like the atmosphere of them.
I like also how she introduced a reader to the character's past and to secondary characters. We got what we need to understand, not more. Many other writers can't resist and give the whole past, many details that only make the book longer but aren't necessary to the story.
I could point out the things worth changing in the plot, but, as I said, as a whole they didn't matter. So, instead of concentrating on them I just concentrated on the enjoyment.
[3.5-4 stars]
I like also how she introduced a reader to the character's past and to secondary characters. We got what we need to understand, not more. Many other writers can't resist and give the whole past, many details that only make the book longer but aren't necessary to the story.
I could point out the things worth changing in the plot, but, as I said, as a whole they didn't matter. So, instead of concentrating on them I just concentrated on the enjoyment.
[3.5-4 stars]
August 10, 2016
Another compelling story from the author who is becoming one of my favorite authors. The story is set in little town of Hope,Texas or as hero referred to it "Hopeless". He has a very good reason to name it this way: growing up with abusive, despicable mother in a town whose people never intervened to stop the abuse. Now he is a Hollywood actor who came when town invited him for a town celebration. The heroine, a schoolteacher and a widow, was appointed to meet him and bring him in. This is the story of redemption, of putting the past behind and looking to a better future.
February 13, 2021
I love characters that I know are going to stay with me forever. Johnnie Irish is one of those characters. His road to happiness was in a small town, Hope, that also felt real. It's nice when a writer gets a small town right instead of making it seem like something someone who has never lived any place but a big city 'thinks' they are. LAST SUMMER gave me the big satisfied sigh at the end. And that is one of my favorite things about reading.
September 6, 2010
I absolutely adored the story of Johnnie Irish's struggles to find love and peace in his life haunted by nightmares of his life as a child in Hope, Texas. This book packs a punch of emotions and I highly recommend it to all romance book lovers!
My review: http://bit.ly/debuWL
My review: http://bit.ly/debuWL
July 2, 2025
Broke my heart. I had to just sit in silence, then curl up and go to bed. This felt like the heart-wrenching of Judith McNaught & the sweetness and journey of a Susan Elizabeth Phillips - all good things to be. The end made the heartbreak so worth it. I don't love when I'm not on team heroine but I felt for badly for Johnnie so often and I felt she was so hurtful to him so often, without trying to understand him. But that was what made the book to human, hurt people hurt people and people are not mind readers, so misconceptions happen.
January 19, 2012
First, let me start by saying I am generally not a fan of straight contemporary romance. So, while I was taking a chance on this book in that area, the "bad boy hiding his pain" trope was begging me to pick this one up.
And I am very glad I did. Johnnie, poor and brutally mistreated in his youth, is now a Hollywood actor with major issues he keeps hidden. Maggie is a rather innocent transplant to his former small town, alone after her husband's death. Her prejudices against him collide with his intense hatred for his hometown and yet, each of them feel a tug toward each other, a tug that turns from just emotional to sexual.
Johnnie was pretty darn close to perfect for me. He had just the right amount of vulnerability mixed with just the right amount of bravado. Maggie also had a great push/pull with her own fears and insecurities making her one of the few female protagonists with whom I could really identify. Neither POV felt overwhelmed by the other which I find rare, so it was a real treat.
This is definitely a book about two very flawed and hurting people, and they do hurt each other a great deal, often utterly unaware of the pain they are inflicting on each other. Stereotypes and prejudices about each other also provide the tension between them. The tension was well paced though, and I never felt that it was too drawn out. I did disagree with some of the decisions the characters made, but I felt that they were the right ones for them within character.
There are a few details in the book that jarred me a bit, specifically the details that dated the book - cassettes and other details that screamed 80s and early 90s at me. They were minimal though and had no impact on the story itself.
Last Summer hit most of my preferences when reading romance: a bad boy hiding his pain, considerable emotional angst, a vulnerable but strong woman with whom I could identify, a strong emotional narrative without an abrupt volte face on the part of one of the characters.
And I am very glad I did. Johnnie, poor and brutally mistreated in his youth, is now a Hollywood actor with major issues he keeps hidden. Maggie is a rather innocent transplant to his former small town, alone after her husband's death. Her prejudices against him collide with his intense hatred for his hometown and yet, each of them feel a tug toward each other, a tug that turns from just emotional to sexual.
Johnnie was pretty darn close to perfect for me. He had just the right amount of vulnerability mixed with just the right amount of bravado. Maggie also had a great push/pull with her own fears and insecurities making her one of the few female protagonists with whom I could really identify. Neither POV felt overwhelmed by the other which I find rare, so it was a real treat.
This is definitely a book about two very flawed and hurting people, and they do hurt each other a great deal, often utterly unaware of the pain they are inflicting on each other. Stereotypes and prejudices about each other also provide the tension between them. The tension was well paced though, and I never felt that it was too drawn out. I did disagree with some of the decisions the characters made, but I felt that they were the right ones for them within character.
There are a few details in the book that jarred me a bit, specifically the details that dated the book - cassettes and other details that screamed 80s and early 90s at me. They were minimal though and had no impact on the story itself.
Last Summer hit most of my preferences when reading romance: a bad boy hiding his pain, considerable emotional angst, a vulnerable but strong woman with whom I could identify, a strong emotional narrative without an abrupt volte face on the part of one of the characters.
September 30, 2014
Bad boy actor, Johnnie Irish, returns to his hometown where the past haunts him. Straight laced, widowed school teacher, Maggie, couldn't give a rat's *ss about his super star status. She knows he is bad news and does not want to be another notch on his bed post. After several encounters, there is more to Johnnie than she thought but she is still weary of trusting him.
So, this is more than a cute, little, light contemporary romance. This book actually surprised me with some deep issues. Johnnie's past was not pretty and at times, straight up sad! =( Because of his past, he has a tough exterior that is hard to break. But inside, he is full of insecurities. His relationship with Maggie was not easy but I'm glad these two were able to finally reach the point of trusting each other. Besides this story being a romance, it is also a story about a tortured man coming to terms with himself and his past. The journey through self discovery wasn't smooth but I'm glad Maggie was there when he needed her and vice versa. This is the first book I've read from this author and it won't be my last.
3.5 Stars
So, this is more than a cute, little, light contemporary romance. This book actually surprised me with some deep issues. Johnnie's past was not pretty and at times, straight up sad! =( Because of his past, he has a tough exterior that is hard to break. But inside, he is full of insecurities. His relationship with Maggie was not easy but I'm glad these two were able to finally reach the point of trusting each other. Besides this story being a romance, it is also a story about a tortured man coming to terms with himself and his past. The journey through self discovery wasn't smooth but I'm glad Maggie was there when he needed her and vice versa. This is the first book I've read from this author and it won't be my last.
3.5 Stars
September 10, 2016
I loved this book. So many authors try to write bad boy heroes, but they are too afraid to actually give their characters real flaws. Johnnie Irish is a train-wreck, a gifted comedic actor with terrible demons that drive him forward on a self-destructive path due to a really awful childhood. He isn't magically or instantly redeemed. Throughout the book, he messes up over and over again and his good intentions are often not enough. But his innate sweetness and vulnerability come through so clearly and you can't help rooting for him. Maggie was a bit uptight and judgmental, but again, she was real with flaws, not a perfect Mary Sue like so many romance heroines are. She lost her husband and it was understandable that she was afraid to open herself up, especially to someone as messed up as Johnnie. This is the second book of Theresa Weir's that I've read and she is so good at writing intense love stories.
July 18, 2013
Wow. Just wow. Funny. Sad. Sweet. Bittersweet. This author knows how to tell a story with depth of plot and character. It kept me reading and reading, wanting to find out how it all ends, yet dreading the end because, honestly, I had no idea what was going to happen to these well drawn story people. I could only hope it was going to end well. [You'll have to read it to find out for yourself.] This is the first novel I've read by Theresa Weir. It was first published in 1992, but don't let that keep you from enjoying this story, thinking it's dated. Love stories are never dated and these characters are timeless. The only thing that dated it were some references to videotapes and VCRs. I thoroughly enjoyed this wonderful story and recommend it as a good read.
October 27, 2012
Very interesting, very realistic romance. Not your typical hero. The author allows us to see the good, the bad and the ugly and I still grew to love him anyway. The heroin is a normal, fairly intelligent, a little insecure woman. Their worlds intersect many times and their relationship grows in many different ways. Many developments were unexpected. It’s not a sweep you off your feet romance; it’s more of a slow progression. After much turmoil is does eventually end up with a HEA. It kept me interested, but I didn’t have a problem putting it down when I needed to. Overall, it was a good, well written read with very few typos.
October 9, 2016
Looking for a romance read that will pull at your heart? This is the one for you. I found myself emotionally invested in this book. I cried. I screamed. I went from wanting to hug characters to ripping their hearts out. Great writing.
The characters were easy to connect with and allowed me quickly into their thoughts which helped with the emotional investment. Everyone has secrets as this story points out quite well.
A great romance with so many other things going for it. You need to add this book to your reading list.
Note: I downloaded this book during free promotional days with no requirement to give a positive review.
The characters were easy to connect with and allowed me quickly into their thoughts which helped with the emotional investment. Everyone has secrets as this story points out quite well.
A great romance with so many other things going for it. You need to add this book to your reading list.
Note: I downloaded this book during free promotional days with no requirement to give a positive review.
July 26, 2015
I liked the story overall, it was just about 20% longer than it needed to be. The sexual tension built up, then they're together, then apart, then together, then apart, then together, then...on and on. After a while, it became so frustrating that I just wanted to scream "get it together or stay the *&^% away from each other!!!" The ending was rather abrupt, once you finally get to it. It was a Kindle freebie, so I didn't have anything invested in it, and for that "price" it was an adequate diversion.
June 22, 2012
LOved the quirky loveable and tormented characters in this story. The plot basically just followed the relationship between Johnnie and Maggie who really are a good match. Their problems were based less on the cliched misunderstanding and more on each character making assumptions about each other without really understanding the deeper feelings. I found them both sweet and endearing. One of the final scenes that takes place in the hovel Johnnie grew up in was very unexpected and emotional as was the aftermath.
January 24, 2013
I downloaded this book thinking that I'd give it whirl, and what a whirl. Tortured is the right word for Johnnie Irish. This book had a floating, ethereal quality set against an almost unlikely backdrop. Regardless of the reference to the time setting or publishing date, it's a story that transcends with flawed characters that find their redemption through the choices they make allowing for a HEA but without the typical plot signposts miles before.
I'd definitely consider reading another offering from Theresa Weir.
I'd definitely consider reading another offering from Theresa Weir.
April 29, 2013
I loved this book! I like books where the characters have dark sides, like Johnny, who comes from such a fractured childhood, and Maggie, who sees herself as a boring person living a boring life. No one can predict the chemistry that can come up between two persons, and these two had it. At one time I was frustrated and was wondering if these two clumps were ever going to get their act organized, but getting there was the good part. If I felt like banging their heads together, that means the author wrote a good book, right? Also, loved Johnny with Alex!
April 29, 2013
I loved that this book took place over years and not weeks. Maggie May does not want to like the bad boy actor but can't seem to help herself. Johnnie English is searching and doesn't want to admit that he was found something good in Maggie. They circle each other, connecting and backing off for a while in such a sweet, gut renching way.
The main characters are well drawn but I didn't get to know the secondary ones as well. I wasn't sure where they were going to end up which is always a plus. It was a sweet little read. Highly recommended.
The main characters are well drawn but I didn't get to know the secondary ones as well. I wasn't sure where they were going to end up which is always a plus. It was a sweet little read. Highly recommended.
May 16, 2013
This story has the making to be quite intense if there was less separation of Maggie and Johnnie. I like that their story took place over a long period, but it left many details out. Johnnie's character needed time to figure out his feelings and work through some of his demons. Maggie had to learn to trust her feelings and stop expecting him to disappoint her. The detail I missed the most was Maggie telling Johnnie how she felt after they'd slept together. I wanted him to explain what he was saying and not that he was kicking her out. I loved the ending!
April 1, 2015
A little annoying
The story was ok. I enjoyed the read but got annoyed by how poor the communication was between Johnnie and Maggie. They were adults acting like hormone crazed middle schoolers. Johnnie had a reason for his behavior but Maggie was a well adjusted adult, she should have just communicated more and the story would have still flowed fine. It's how the author wanted it to unfold but it annoyed me a bit. I would read a young adult novel if I wanted the "what is he thinking about what I said" kind of drama.
The story was ok. I enjoyed the read but got annoyed by how poor the communication was between Johnnie and Maggie. They were adults acting like hormone crazed middle schoolers. Johnnie had a reason for his behavior but Maggie was a well adjusted adult, she should have just communicated more and the story would have still flowed fine. It's how the author wanted it to unfold but it annoyed me a bit. I would read a young adult novel if I wanted the "what is he thinking about what I said" kind of drama.
January 24, 2012
I know it is an older book, but I had trouble getting past the dated imagery. That being said, I thought the book had it's good points. Similar to the other TW book I read, I enjoyed the characters coming together after some personal struggle. Didn't quite believe in Johnnie as the big movie star--was a little too rednecky for me. Hated his name the most! I might have given this story a 2.5 star rating if it were an option.
April 30, 2013
3.5 to 3.75
a bit dated= cassette tapes, panty hose, test tube pregnancy test, the town having problems with an unwed pregnant woman. However, these things were easy to get past.
I liked that Maggie & Johnny weren't just sunshine and rainbows. Maggie had to overcome her assumptions towards Johnny, and he had to work on taking better care of himself. the book implied that the relationship would always take work. i appreciated that piece of realism.
a bit dated= cassette tapes, panty hose, test tube pregnancy test, the town having problems with an unwed pregnant woman. However, these things were easy to get past.
I liked that Maggie & Johnny weren't just sunshine and rainbows. Maggie had to overcome her assumptions towards Johnny, and he had to work on taking better care of himself. the book implied that the relationship would always take work. i appreciated that piece of realism.
March 30, 2012
I liked this book. It was really sweet.
The only thing that bothered me was that sometimes I just wanted to shake Maggie and yell at her to tell Johnnie how she really feels. Because I think a lot of hurt could have been saved.
But overall I loved the book and I thought the ending was perfect.
The only thing that bothered me was that sometimes I just wanted to shake Maggie and yell at her to tell Johnnie how she really feels. Because I think a lot of hurt could have been saved.
But overall I loved the book and I thought the ending was perfect.
August 6, 2012
I downloaded this one free on Kindle and it was a decent romance. I thought it was a little longer and more drawn out than necessary. There were a few twists with the male lead having diabetes (which I thought was overdone a bit, especially because he is so self-destructive about it) and the female lead being a young widow. Overall, good for a freebie.
January 25, 2012
Was skeptical because this was a free e-book, but I'm so glad I decided to read it. I could not put this book down. Finished it in one night. I love Maggie and Johnnie's characters and loved that I was emotionally drawn in to the story.
February 7, 2012
I really liked this book, obviously, but wish that it had ended differently. I was hesitant to read this at all, since it is a romance. I don't usually read romance, but this was surprisingly pleasant and a quick read. Hopefully, I can add a few more of TW's books to my to-read list.
August 14, 2019
At first I thought it was going to be a typical quick-read, borderline cheesy romance (I'm not judging, I read them all the time!). As I read on I was pleasantly surprised with the character development and plot. I'm going to try another Theresa Weir book soon!
December 22, 2017
Gym reading, aka I got this free or really cheap on the Kindle. This was alright. I didn't love it. The sex scenes were horrible. I mean, this was the opening to one of the sexy time sentences, "After he achieved full penetration..." Really? Ug.
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