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Housebound
Someone had invited Noah Grant to the family's home, but who? All Anne Kirkland knew was that the man looked like a tall Celtic Gypsy, with that dark skin, the blue, blue eyes and the wildly curling black hair--and he made her hot under the collar...
Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1985
19 people are currently reading
184 people want to read
About the author
Anne Stuart
203 books2,064 followersAnne Stuart is a grandmaster of the genre, winner of Romance Writers of America's prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award, survivor of more than thirty-five years in the romance business, and still just keeps getting better.
Her first novel was Barrett's Hill, a gothic romance published by Ballantine in 1974 when Anne had just turned 25. Since then she's written more gothics, regencies, romantic suspense, romantic adventure, series romance, suspense, historical romance, paranormal and mainstream contemporary romance for publishers such as Doubleday, Harlequin, Silhouette, Avon, Zebra, St. Martins Press, Berkley, Dell, Pocket Books and Fawcett.
She’s won numerous awards, appeared on most bestseller lists, and speaks all over the country. Her general outrageousness has gotten her on Entertainment Tonight, as well as in Vogue, People, USA Today, Women’s Day and countless other national newspapers and magazines.
When she’s not traveling, she’s at home in Northern Vermont with her luscious husband of thirty-six years, an empty nest, three cats, four sewing machines, and one Springer Spaniel, and when she’s not working she’s watching movies, listening to rock and roll (preferably Japanese) and spending far too much time quilting.
Anne Stuart also writes as Kristina Douglas.
Her first novel was Barrett's Hill, a gothic romance published by Ballantine in 1974 when Anne had just turned 25. Since then she's written more gothics, regencies, romantic suspense, romantic adventure, series romance, suspense, historical romance, paranormal and mainstream contemporary romance for publishers such as Doubleday, Harlequin, Silhouette, Avon, Zebra, St. Martins Press, Berkley, Dell, Pocket Books and Fawcett.
She’s won numerous awards, appeared on most bestseller lists, and speaks all over the country. Her general outrageousness has gotten her on Entertainment Tonight, as well as in Vogue, People, USA Today, Women’s Day and countless other national newspapers and magazines.
When she’s not traveling, she’s at home in Northern Vermont with her luscious husband of thirty-six years, an empty nest, three cats, four sewing machines, and one Springer Spaniel, and when she’s not working she’s watching movies, listening to rock and roll (preferably Japanese) and spending far too much time quilting.
Anne Stuart also writes as Kristina Douglas.
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Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
February 4, 2015
Well written and good story but I just couldn't get over the H sleeping with the h and then sleeping with the sister as well, all the while lying to the h about the house. IMO he needed to be gone like the curbside trash he was cause that is just disgusting and the h should have used her nail gun to staple the dangly bits down and then she should have kicked every single family member with the exception of the aunt out of her life.
There was no remorse or excuse for screwing her sister while he was involved with her and at such a late date in the story and no explanation for it, as supposedly he did not even like the sister that much. Slimy parasites like this are pretty useless and I was sorry to see her wind up with him which meant no HEA moment for me.
There was no remorse or excuse for screwing her sister while he was involved with her and at such a late date in the story and no explanation for it, as supposedly he did not even like the sister that much. Slimy parasites like this are pretty useless and I was sorry to see her wind up with him which meant no HEA moment for me.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 22, 2019
Meh!
*spoilers* Just when the soporific goings on of the h's family, silently tussling and scheming to get rid of their white elephant house/home (from under the h) get too much, the icky quadrangle with the sister and the h's fiancé are enough to wake you up - rudely!
The h's 'malicious' older brother is my favorite character - doesn't say much for the rest of the dysfunctional lot.
The h could have broken off with her fiancé when she realizes early on that she wouldn't/couldn't marry him but doesn't! And then has (inevitable) sex with the H (as do the other couple - not making it ok). And I didn't like the H (even if it's only) contemplating having sex with the sister a few times while he's besotted (but-wary-of-commitment) with the h. Well, a guy's gotta take sex where he's offered sex! Same goes for the sister - loves the om but wants to shag the H.
And I hate reading about selfish, uncaring families who don't really get redeemed and stay on well into the epilogue.
All very icksomely deserving each other people.
This is a book I had to force myself to read on despite having 'the sexiest man alive' as the H!
*spoilers* Just when the soporific goings on of the h's family, silently tussling and scheming to get rid of their white elephant house/home (from under the h) get too much, the icky quadrangle with the sister and the h's fiancé are enough to wake you up - rudely!
The h's 'malicious' older brother is my favorite character - doesn't say much for the rest of the dysfunctional lot.
The h could have broken off with her fiancé when she realizes early on that she wouldn't/couldn't marry him but doesn't! And then has (inevitable) sex with the H (as do the other couple - not making it ok). And I didn't like the H (even if it's only) contemplating having sex with the sister a few times while he's besotted (but-wary-of-commitment) with the h. Well, a guy's gotta take sex where he's offered sex! Same goes for the sister - loves the om but wants to shag the H.
And I hate reading about selfish, uncaring families who don't really get redeemed and stay on well into the epilogue.
All very icksomely deserving each other people.
This is a book I had to force myself to read on despite having 'the sexiest man alive' as the H!
February 15, 2019
1.5 stars
July 5, 2019
"Housebound" is the story of Annie and Noah.
The book is centered around a house. It belonged to the Kirklands for generations, has been through a lot, and now lies in almost ruins, mainly surviving by with the relentless determination of our heroine, who is working herself to death to keep it afloat.
She gets no help from her utterly selfish family, consisting of three artists- her father, older brother and younger sister, that leech on her.
Basically the plot is- they 3 selfish aholes want money, and decide to sell the house. They think it's an albatross around the heroine's neck- whom they barely care about, and since 3/4 sellers are in agreement, they involve a real estate company to buy it. They send the hero, who is the real estate owner's brother in law with the heroine's sister to gauge the property.
At that point the heroine is dating boring OM. The hero enters her life and forces her to re-evaluate her feelings. Also, OM and her sister are having hots for each other. And, yeah, the hero is super hung up on his dead ex wife.
Add all this to a dramatic and angsty love story, where you would genuinely feel bad for the heroine for being surrounded by lying and manipulative people who are supposed to be her loved ones.
There's a lot I can rant about this book, like the fact that the house deserved more, the heroine deserved more and her family deserved to be put through hell, but because none of that happened, this left me very frustrated.
Ends in a rushed HEA.
Safe/SWE
2.5/5
The book is centered around a house. It belonged to the Kirklands for generations, has been through a lot, and now lies in almost ruins, mainly surviving by with the relentless determination of our heroine, who is working herself to death to keep it afloat.
She gets no help from her utterly selfish family, consisting of three artists- her father, older brother and younger sister, that leech on her.
Basically the plot is- they 3 selfish aholes want money, and decide to sell the house. They think it's an albatross around the heroine's neck- whom they barely care about, and since 3/4 sellers are in agreement, they involve a real estate company to buy it. They send the hero, who is the real estate owner's brother in law with the heroine's sister to gauge the property.
At that point the heroine is dating boring OM. The hero enters her life and forces her to re-evaluate her feelings. Also, OM and her sister are having hots for each other. And, yeah, the hero is super hung up on his dead ex wife.
Add all this to a dramatic and angsty love story, where you would genuinely feel bad for the heroine for being surrounded by lying and manipulative people who are supposed to be her loved ones.
There's a lot I can rant about this book, like the fact that the house deserved more, the heroine deserved more and her family deserved to be put through hell, but because none of that happened, this left me very frustrated.
Ends in a rushed HEA.
Safe/SWE
2.5/5
June 23, 2022
The hero was unpleasant to read about. A fake wounded hero who was too egoistic to think about other people and so self centred to be a whiny puny man. But I could have liked this story with a completely different ending. Of course I wanted an HEA but the book needed some serious groveling before.
Here everyone is a selfish bastard ready to betray the heroine and there is no reckoning. Her family who has used her up to the present sells her house under her, and he is there to help them betray her and he knows it. He has (almost) no qualms to sleep with her, a totally unethical choice. All of it could be accepted if there had been some hell to pay. Alas it never happened. Her family keeps living without any questions, he gets her back without any problems... They all pretend nothing went wrong. I really loathed the ending. Sorry I can't accept it.
Here everyone is a selfish bastard ready to betray the heroine and there is no reckoning. Her family who has used her up to the present sells her house under her, and he is there to help them betray her and he knows it. He has (almost) no qualms to sleep with her, a totally unethical choice. All of it could be accepted if there had been some hell to pay. Alas it never happened. Her family keeps living without any questions, he gets her back without any problems... They all pretend nothing went wrong. I really loathed the ending. Sorry I can't accept it.
May 23, 2014
Housebound by Anne Stuart is one of her earlier novels, first published in the 1980′s. I must’ve been toddler then. The magic about romances that are well written is that they stand the test of time; no amount of development that comes about or technology advances that change the world can diminish the glow that is left behind in the wake of a romance that touches you deep inside.
Housebound starts in off in an ordinary enough manner. Nothing in particular stands out at first. 34 year old Anne Kirkland is the heroine that pours her heart and soul into her home, co-owned with her two siblings, older brother Ashley and younger sister Holly and their father. Though none of the members of her family are enthusiastic about the big heap of a building that practically swallows money as a whole with the humongous amounts needed for its repair and upkeep, Anne remains stoic in her belief that she would be able to save her beloved home, somehow.
When 32 year old Noah Grant comes visiting, as Holly’s companion for the weekend, Anne doesn’t expect everything Holly has said about him to be true. The dreamiest and sexist man alive that Anne has set eyes on, the instant connection that springs forth between them makes it doubly harder for Anne to remember that she is an engaged woman who should not swoon in the face of a beautiful man, but oh what a beautiful man he was to her senses, in more ways than one.
Noah has his own agenda for coming to Anne’s home, and though it makes him feel a trifle bit guilty at first, Noah is willing to do this one last favor for his father in law to exorcise the ghosts of his past. His helpless attraction towards Anne certainly doesn’t help matters along and though Noah continues to lie to himself and anyone else who asks him about his feelings towards Anne, there is no hiding from the fact that she affects him every bit as much as she’s reluctantly affected by him.
Reasons that I fell in love with the story are many. First and foremost, I think this is the most laid back hero by Anne Stuart that I’ve had the fortune of reading. Though Noah hides a secret that could break Anne’s very spirit, he is not hard edged and ruthless like the usual heroes that Anne Stuart pens, all of whom I adore. He even had me thinking to myself that this story would probably not work for me. But then, I should’ve trusted Anne Stuart a bit more that she would never lead her readers on a path that would not be fulfilling.
Though Noah is not the ruthless kind, he is every bit alpha as the Anne Stuart heroes that I have fallen countless times in love with. Noah’s troubles come from a past that he can’t or rather won’t escape from, the need to keep the memory of his wife alive, lest he forget how he failed her. And though Noah is truthful enough with himself that Anne is the first woman to have affected him as such since his wife, Noah remains stubborn in his is attempt to prevent any sort of commitment on his part from happening.
Now Anne, she practically made the story for me. She is so strong, feisty and knows when to give in. In other words Anne knows which battles to pick and fight in her life. Growing up as the middle child whose siblings had all turned out to be prodigies in their selected fields, Anne has a hard time accepting the fact that she is talented in everything that she has set her mind to undertake. Her attachment to her home stems from a deep emotional craving to love something that’d never disappoint her, and when that is taken away from her, well, let’s just say the emotional roller coaster reaches its peak by then.
Housebound is a novel where groveling is done to a fine art by the hero. Realizing his mistake had come when shit had practically hit the roof and I loved Anne for being strong enough to just up and leave when everyone that she’d trusted to do right by her had failed her miserably. Anne Stuart’s acerbic humor always makes any novel of hers a treasure to read. One cannot dwell on sad emotions for long; she has those no nonsense characters embedded into her stories that always gives the hero or heroine that well deserved nudge or if that fails, a slap in the right direction.
Well rounded secondary characters give the story a wholesome edge to it. Ashley turned out to be the most intriguing secondary character in the story. His projected indifference to everything that goes around him hides a far too astute mind that sees altogether too much. Too bad we’d never know what his story is about because I don’t think Anne Stuart has the intention of ever writing a gay romance and as fascinated as I am by his character, I don’t think even he’d move me enough to read one if ever written. But then again, perhaps I am underestimating the effect Anne Stuart novels have on me.
One more aspect of the story that made me treasure it all that more is the fact that the ending of the story really does see Anne and Noah through. Readers deserved that after going through such an emotional upheaval and healing period together with them. Well, readers deserve that in a lot of Anne Stuart novels but then her fans are almost used to the fact that she tends to end her novels a tad abruptly. So it was more than nice to say the least that the way Housebound ended put a warm glow deep in my heart. Now who wouldn’t glow when a story ends like this:
Needless to say, I was grinning. From ear to ear!
Recommended!
Final Verdict: Beautiful and splendid in all the ways that matter.
Rating = 4.5/5
Caliber SEAL: AMAZING READ!
To read the review with quotes, visit www.maldivianbookreviewer.com
Housebound starts in off in an ordinary enough manner. Nothing in particular stands out at first. 34 year old Anne Kirkland is the heroine that pours her heart and soul into her home, co-owned with her two siblings, older brother Ashley and younger sister Holly and their father. Though none of the members of her family are enthusiastic about the big heap of a building that practically swallows money as a whole with the humongous amounts needed for its repair and upkeep, Anne remains stoic in her belief that she would be able to save her beloved home, somehow.
When 32 year old Noah Grant comes visiting, as Holly’s companion for the weekend, Anne doesn’t expect everything Holly has said about him to be true. The dreamiest and sexist man alive that Anne has set eyes on, the instant connection that springs forth between them makes it doubly harder for Anne to remember that she is an engaged woman who should not swoon in the face of a beautiful man, but oh what a beautiful man he was to her senses, in more ways than one.
Noah has his own agenda for coming to Anne’s home, and though it makes him feel a trifle bit guilty at first, Noah is willing to do this one last favor for his father in law to exorcise the ghosts of his past. His helpless attraction towards Anne certainly doesn’t help matters along and though Noah continues to lie to himself and anyone else who asks him about his feelings towards Anne, there is no hiding from the fact that she affects him every bit as much as she’s reluctantly affected by him.
Reasons that I fell in love with the story are many. First and foremost, I think this is the most laid back hero by Anne Stuart that I’ve had the fortune of reading. Though Noah hides a secret that could break Anne’s very spirit, he is not hard edged and ruthless like the usual heroes that Anne Stuart pens, all of whom I adore. He even had me thinking to myself that this story would probably not work for me. But then, I should’ve trusted Anne Stuart a bit more that she would never lead her readers on a path that would not be fulfilling.
Though Noah is not the ruthless kind, he is every bit alpha as the Anne Stuart heroes that I have fallen countless times in love with. Noah’s troubles come from a past that he can’t or rather won’t escape from, the need to keep the memory of his wife alive, lest he forget how he failed her. And though Noah is truthful enough with himself that Anne is the first woman to have affected him as such since his wife, Noah remains stubborn in his is attempt to prevent any sort of commitment on his part from happening.
Now Anne, she practically made the story for me. She is so strong, feisty and knows when to give in. In other words Anne knows which battles to pick and fight in her life. Growing up as the middle child whose siblings had all turned out to be prodigies in their selected fields, Anne has a hard time accepting the fact that she is talented in everything that she has set her mind to undertake. Her attachment to her home stems from a deep emotional craving to love something that’d never disappoint her, and when that is taken away from her, well, let’s just say the emotional roller coaster reaches its peak by then.
Housebound is a novel where groveling is done to a fine art by the hero. Realizing his mistake had come when shit had practically hit the roof and I loved Anne for being strong enough to just up and leave when everyone that she’d trusted to do right by her had failed her miserably. Anne Stuart’s acerbic humor always makes any novel of hers a treasure to read. One cannot dwell on sad emotions for long; she has those no nonsense characters embedded into her stories that always gives the hero or heroine that well deserved nudge or if that fails, a slap in the right direction.
Well rounded secondary characters give the story a wholesome edge to it. Ashley turned out to be the most intriguing secondary character in the story. His projected indifference to everything that goes around him hides a far too astute mind that sees altogether too much. Too bad we’d never know what his story is about because I don’t think Anne Stuart has the intention of ever writing a gay romance and as fascinated as I am by his character, I don’t think even he’d move me enough to read one if ever written. But then again, perhaps I am underestimating the effect Anne Stuart novels have on me.
One more aspect of the story that made me treasure it all that more is the fact that the ending of the story really does see Anne and Noah through. Readers deserved that after going through such an emotional upheaval and healing period together with them. Well, readers deserve that in a lot of Anne Stuart novels but then her fans are almost used to the fact that she tends to end her novels a tad abruptly. So it was more than nice to say the least that the way Housebound ended put a warm glow deep in my heart. Now who wouldn’t glow when a story ends like this:
A few hours later Holly sent a telegram to Ashley Kirkland, care of the Sangre de Cristos Monastery in New Mexico.
ANNIE GAVE BIRTH TO BABY GIRL LILLIAN THIS A.M. MOTHER AND DAUGHTER DOING FINE, FATHER STILL RECOVERING. MUCH LOVE, HOLLY.
Needless to say, I was grinning. From ear to ear!
Recommended!
Final Verdict: Beautiful and splendid in all the ways that matter.
Rating = 4.5/5
Caliber SEAL: AMAZING READ!
To read the review with quotes, visit www.maldivianbookreviewer.com
April 22, 2019
As with any of Anne Stuart’s books I love it. Even her worst books are better than most books I read. I like this book because the heroine was innocent and yet knowing of her family’s selfishness. It took a stranger to pull her out of her obsession about a house. Simple story really but nothing is simple when Anne Stuart writes about it
May 20, 2010
Housebound, while maybe not my favorite book of Stuart's, is definitely worth the "price of admission"! I liked that the other reviewer pegged it a "Cinderella story" because there certainly are similarities.
Annie loves her home, which is in badly in need of costly repairs that she can't afford. She is the middle child flanked by over achieving, yet shallow siblings. She works hard to care for their father and "maintain" their home.
Noah Grant, a man with a painful past, comes to the home posing as Annie's sister's love interest. An instant attraction occurs between Annie and Noah even though Annie has no idea the "real reason" Noah is hanging around.
I liked this book. Both Annie and Noah were likable and I wanted them to get their HEA. The secondary characters were surprisingly multi-layered and interesting. This book is a nice way to spend a quiet afternoon.
Annie loves her home, which is in badly in need of costly repairs that she can't afford. She is the middle child flanked by over achieving, yet shallow siblings. She works hard to care for their father and "maintain" their home.
Noah Grant, a man with a painful past, comes to the home posing as Annie's sister's love interest. An instant attraction occurs between Annie and Noah even though Annie has no idea the "real reason" Noah is hanging around.
I liked this book. Both Annie and Noah were likable and I wanted them to get their HEA. The secondary characters were surprisingly multi-layered and interesting. This book is a nice way to spend a quiet afternoon.
May 14, 2021
"Αιχμάλωτη του Πάθους"- Anne Stuart, Σειρά Bianca, 51
Μια πολύ ωραία ιστορία από την Άνν Στιούαρτ. Το συγκεκριμένο, είναι η δεύτερη ιστορία που διαβάζω από αυτήν την συγγραφέα! Μου άφησε πολύ καλές εντυπώσεις! Ωραία γραφή! Η ηρωίδα, η Άννα, άλλοτε ευαίσθητη και τρυφερή και άλλοτε δυνατή και παθιασμένη! Όσο για τον Νόα, τον ήρωα, τι να πει κανείς, γι' αυτόν τον γεμάτο αντιθέσεις επίσης ήρωα! Πολύ σέξι, πολύ γοητευτικός, διχασμένος ανάμεσα στα πρέπει και τα μη, ένας άνθρωπος που τα έχει όλα φαινομενικά, εκτός από την αγάπη! Και οι δύο συνοδοιπόροι στο δύσκολο και επίπονο ταξίδι στην ευτυχία, σε μια ιστορία γεμάτη ανατροπές και συγκρούσεις, μέχρι την τελευταία σελίδα!!!! Αγωνία μέχρι το τέλος!!! Το απόλαυσα!!!!!
Μια πολύ ωραία ιστορία από την Άνν Στιούαρτ. Το συγκεκριμένο, είναι η δεύτερη ιστορία που διαβάζω από αυτήν την συγγραφέα! Μου άφησε πολύ καλές εντυπώσεις! Ωραία γραφή! Η ηρωίδα, η Άννα, άλλοτε ευαίσθητη και τρυφερή και άλλοτε δυνατή και παθιασμένη! Όσο για τον Νόα, τον ήρωα, τι να πει κανείς, γι' αυτόν τον γεμάτο αντιθέσεις επίσης ήρωα! Πολύ σέξι, πολύ γοητευτικός, διχασμένος ανάμεσα στα πρέπει και τα μη, ένας άνθρωπος που τα έχει όλα φαινομενικά, εκτός από την αγάπη! Και οι δύο συνοδοιπόροι στο δύσκολο και επίπονο ταξίδι στην ευτυχία, σε μια ιστορία γεμάτη ανατροπές και συγκρούσεις, μέχρι την τελευταία σελίδα!!!! Αγωνία μέχρι το τέλος!!! Το απόλαυσα!!!!!
September 19, 2025
Many Moons Ago = 3 stars (pretty good)
September 2025 = 2 stars / skimmed to write review
Long ago, I was an A.S. fan and read most of her books. Now, I’m rereading some to see what I think and write reviews. Sadly, my tastes have changed, and I’m not enjoying them as much as before. However, a few successful rereads motivate me to keep trying.
🟊 At least I remember reading A.S.'s books, unlike many others which are easily forgotten.
THE CHARACTERS:
Anne Kirkland (34) is an assistant editor who loves her family's historic home from the Revolution era. It's falling apart, and she fights to keep it livable. Though her family is full of successful artists, they’re bad with money and rely on Anne, a struggling jack of all trades.
🥃 She regularly drinks expensive cognac.
Noah Grant (32) is a corporate lawyer fed up with the system. He's doing one last assignment for his father-in-law, before switching to a role where he can truly make a difference. The loss of his wife and unborn child three years ago left him traumatized and wary of relationships. Though their marriage was troubled, he never plans to marry again.
Side Characters:
▪️Wilson, a staid lawyer and Anne's fiancé.
▪️Holly Kirkland, a renowned cellist.
▪️Ashley Kirkland, a successful painter who's gay.
▪️Proffy, the Kirkland siblings' father.
A BRIEF PLOT SUMMARY
﹀﹀﹀﹀﹀﹀﹀﹀﹀﹀﹀﹀﹀﹀﹀﹀
The MCs meet when Noah is sent to New Jersey to evaluate an old, rambling house for The Allibet Foundation's artist retreat. If suitable, he’ll handle the negotiations. Three Kirkland family members want to sell, but Anne is the only one unaware of the plans. She refuses to let go—despite knowing she can't afford to maintain the house and that it's a lost cause.
Over two weekends, the MCs go from lust and making out to falling in love. Anne cheats on Wilson, but it's okay because he and Holly are secretly in love, and neither Anne nor Wilson truly care for each other. Finally (at 80%), Anne and Wilson break up so he can pursue Holly. They soon get married.
Near the story’s end, Anne learns the house is sold during Ashley’s art gallery opening. Deeply hurt, she leaves to stay with her aunt in Vermont, refusing to talk to her family. Weeks pass. Noah, now in Connecticut, realizes he loves Anne and wants her back. His aunt brings the MCs back together, when she tells Anne about a job building a seaside cottage, which turns out to be Noah’s home. They reconcile and then have sex at the cottage, where they'll live after marriage. Despite Noah’s wish to avoid children after his wife’s death, Anne gets pregnant.
At the hospital, Anne is about to have their baby, and Noah is terrified she’ll die. Over the past nine months, he’s been a nervous wreck, obsessing over every twinge and fearing the worst. When she goes into the C-section, Noah, previously unable to be with her, finally shows up to support her. They welcome a baby girl named Lillian.
﹀﹀﹀﹀﹀﹀﹀﹀﹀﹀﹀﹀﹀﹀﹀﹀
❗Despite a reviewer's claim, Noah and Holly do not have sex. She attempts to push him, he considers it, but he never goes through with it.
A FEW DISLIKES:
🔻 The repeated mentions of Anne and Wilson 'making love,' as well as the reference to her past sexual encounters in college.
🔻Anne believes she's mediocre among her talented family, but it turns out she's even more brilliant—capable of doing almost anything exceptionally well. She felt a bit too much like a 'Mary Sue' for me.
🔻 There are many repetitive words and phrases, such as "Celtic Gypsy eyes," "Gypsy face," "Celtic blue eyes," "blue eyes," "gypsy blue eyes," "Celtic Gypsy gaze," and "Gypsy smile."
🔻 Anne prays to an impassive God. So why bother praying?
🔻I didn't feel any love or passion between the MCs.
🔻The sex scenes aren't sexy.
Sex Scene Except:
The white-hot flames were building now, licking her body, and she clung to him like a boat adrift in a storm-tossed sea. And then suddenly, unexpectedly, it happened, and she was flung out into the sky in a shower of stars, and in that explosion of glory she felt his body stiffen in her arms, heard his strangled cry, and she wept, for the joy of being alone no longer.
September 2025 = 2 stars / skimmed to write review
Long ago, I was an A.S. fan and read most of her books. Now, I’m rereading some to see what I think and write reviews. Sadly, my tastes have changed, and I’m not enjoying them as much as before. However, a few successful rereads motivate me to keep trying.
🟊 At least I remember reading A.S.'s books, unlike many others which are easily forgotten.
THE CHARACTERS:
Anne Kirkland (34) is an assistant editor who loves her family's historic home from the Revolution era. It's falling apart, and she fights to keep it livable. Though her family is full of successful artists, they’re bad with money and rely on Anne, a struggling jack of all trades.
🥃 She regularly drinks expensive cognac.
Noah Grant (32) is a corporate lawyer fed up with the system. He's doing one last assignment for his father-in-law, before switching to a role where he can truly make a difference. The loss of his wife and unborn child three years ago left him traumatized and wary of relationships. Though their marriage was troubled, he never plans to marry again.
Side Characters:
▪️Wilson, a staid lawyer and Anne's fiancé.
▪️Holly Kirkland, a renowned cellist.
▪️Ashley Kirkland, a successful painter who's gay.
▪️Proffy, the Kirkland siblings' father.
A BRIEF PLOT SUMMARY
﹀﹀﹀﹀﹀﹀﹀﹀﹀﹀﹀﹀﹀﹀﹀﹀
The MCs meet when Noah is sent to New Jersey to evaluate an old, rambling house for The Allibet Foundation's artist retreat. If suitable, he’ll handle the negotiations. Three Kirkland family members want to sell, but Anne is the only one unaware of the plans. She refuses to let go—despite knowing she can't afford to maintain the house and that it's a lost cause.
Over two weekends, the MCs go from lust and making out to falling in love. Anne cheats on Wilson, but it's okay because he and Holly are secretly in love, and neither Anne nor Wilson truly care for each other. Finally (at 80%), Anne and Wilson break up so he can pursue Holly. They soon get married.
Near the story’s end, Anne learns the house is sold during Ashley’s art gallery opening. Deeply hurt, she leaves to stay with her aunt in Vermont, refusing to talk to her family. Weeks pass. Noah, now in Connecticut, realizes he loves Anne and wants her back. His aunt brings the MCs back together, when she tells Anne about a job building a seaside cottage, which turns out to be Noah’s home. They reconcile and then have sex at the cottage, where they'll live after marriage. Despite Noah’s wish to avoid children after his wife’s death, Anne gets pregnant.
At the hospital, Anne is about to have their baby, and Noah is terrified she’ll die. Over the past nine months, he’s been a nervous wreck, obsessing over every twinge and fearing the worst. When she goes into the C-section, Noah, previously unable to be with her, finally shows up to support her. They welcome a baby girl named Lillian.
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❗Despite a reviewer's claim, Noah and Holly do not have sex. She attempts to push him, he considers it, but he never goes through with it.
A FEW DISLIKES:
🔻 The repeated mentions of Anne and Wilson 'making love,' as well as the reference to her past sexual encounters in college.
🔻Anne believes she's mediocre among her talented family, but it turns out she's even more brilliant—capable of doing almost anything exceptionally well. She felt a bit too much like a 'Mary Sue' for me.
🔻 There are many repetitive words and phrases, such as "Celtic Gypsy eyes," "Gypsy face," "Celtic blue eyes," "blue eyes," "gypsy blue eyes," "Celtic Gypsy gaze," and "Gypsy smile."
🔻 Anne prays to an impassive God. So why bother praying?
🔻I didn't feel any love or passion between the MCs.
🔻The sex scenes aren't sexy.
Sex Scene Except:
The white-hot flames were building now, licking her body, and she clung to him like a boat adrift in a storm-tossed sea. And then suddenly, unexpectedly, it happened, and she was flung out into the sky in a shower of stars, and in that explosion of glory she felt his body stiffen in her arms, heard his strangled cry, and she wept, for the joy of being alone no longer.
July 7, 2024
*I listened to this book via the Everand app
I sometimes think that I finish books I listen to more readily than I would if I was holding a physical book.
Anne Kirkland is in love with her family home. A dilapidated farmhouse that is literally falling down around her. She lives there with her father who does nothing to help and her sister and brother come in and out.
Anne is engaged to a lawyer that she cares nothing about. In the opening, the family is gathering at the house and Anne is cooking for everyone. The brother & sister are both bringing guests. Holly, the sister, is in love with Anne's fiancé and the man (Noah Grant) that Holly brings has an instant attraction to Anne.
Other than the swapping of partners, the fact that Anne did nothing to stand up for herself at any point in the book is rather disappointing. At one point they are a gallery opening for her brother and Anne & Noah end up alone. Noah wants to repeat the one night stand and Anne tells him No. But he doesn't stop and just like that she's a willing participant. Annoying and not really what we should be telling women is okay. I'm glad I didn't realize it was part of a series, because it was terribly annoying.
I sometimes think that I finish books I listen to more readily than I would if I was holding a physical book.
Anne Kirkland is in love with her family home. A dilapidated farmhouse that is literally falling down around her. She lives there with her father who does nothing to help and her sister and brother come in and out.
Anne is engaged to a lawyer that she cares nothing about. In the opening, the family is gathering at the house and Anne is cooking for everyone. The brother & sister are both bringing guests. Holly, the sister, is in love with Anne's fiancé and the man (Noah Grant) that Holly brings has an instant attraction to Anne.
Other than the swapping of partners, the fact that Anne did nothing to stand up for herself at any point in the book is rather disappointing. At one point they are a gallery opening for her brother and Anne & Noah end up alone. Noah wants to repeat the one night stand and Anne tells him No. But he doesn't stop and just like that she's a willing participant. Annoying and not really what we should be telling women is okay. I'm glad I didn't realize it was part of a series, because it was terribly annoying.
February 12, 2023
Terrible people doing terrible things to other people
The only reason I didn’t give this one star is that the story is actually readable. But every single character is an awful person, with the sole exception of the heroine who is a moron and a ninny of epic proportions. Stuart tried to write a paragon, but only managed to make a completely idiotic character with no sense of self esteem or any sense of any kind. And the so called hero is a manipulative ahole with some weird beliefs about women, pregnancy, and ethics. Seriously, he could be disbarred for what he did to Anne.
I am so mad I spent money on this garbage book.
The only reason I didn’t give this one star is that the story is actually readable. But every single character is an awful person, with the sole exception of the heroine who is a moron and a ninny of epic proportions. Stuart tried to write a paragon, but only managed to make a completely idiotic character with no sense of self esteem or any sense of any kind. And the so called hero is a manipulative ahole with some weird beliefs about women, pregnancy, and ethics. Seriously, he could be disbarred for what he did to Anne.
I am so mad I spent money on this garbage book.
January 16, 2025
This is the first romance book I've ever read, and I picked it up by accident. The title and the cover made me believe this was horror genre, so imagine my surprise when it was actually a terribly written, terribly thought out romance novel. Since this is the first one I've ever read, I'm not sure if bad writing and stupid plot lines (with unnatural dialog) is the norm or not, so maybe you shouldn't trust my opinion. However, it is worth stating that it felt like this was written by a virgin who learned 5-7 one dollar words, and used them liberally... over and over again. Just not a good book in any way.
January 17, 2019
No one does it better than Anne Stuart when it comes to anti hero MC and a female lead who may look weak, but learns fast. Though this one was written in 1985, I think it fits right in with the romance put out by many of today's authors. Great book.
June 5, 2024
I found I did not like anyone in this story. The 'hero' was a liar. The 'heroine' was a doormat and her family were a collective group of selfish users. Even the periphery characters lied except one guy at the end.
February 9, 2020
Not one of Anne's best, but I have always enjoyed this author's work. She gives her heroes that little bit of a redeemable dark, edgy quality.
March 14, 2020
I used to read all of her books all the time. I still like to reread them now on kindle. She is great for the era for romantic suspense.
August 29, 2021
It was mediocre and a little boring. I don't like how Annie just gave up at the end. Didn't really want anyone to ask for forgiveness, just went along.
December 8, 2022
hard read
I usually get fully immersed into this author’s book. Maybe this was too close to home. It’s flow was off at times.
I usually get fully immersed into this author’s book. Maybe this was too close to home. It’s flow was off at times.
January 15, 2011
Another Anne Stuart oldie for my collection. I really enjoy how she can fit her trademark hard-to-like heroes in every kind of plot and in this one she succeeds in doing it one more time.
I did like our heroine, Anne Kirkland, a lot! However in some things she sounded too good to be true, I mean she was treated like the one in the family without any talent - with her father, brother and sister all excelling at something - but the fact is that she excelled at several things too. They just weren't as fashionable and visible as their artistic endeavors. On the other hand her love for the house seemed a bit too much, although it is something I understand the fact that she was the only owner ready to make sacrifices for it should have alerted her to what they were planning. But she was sensible, nice, and crafty and it was impossible not to like her.
When Anne meets Noah there's instant chemistry between them. However, he is supposedly her sister's guest and love interest which leaves Anne uncomfortable when she finds out. The fact is that Noah is a bit of a bad guy in what concerns Anne, he is there under false pretenses, to evaluate the house she loves and buy it since the other 3 members of her family have agreed to sell.
While I think that if there are 4 owners and 3 want to sell then they are entitled to do so, I felt there was really no excuse for Noah to keep Anne ignorant for so long. She should have been told the truth as soon as they become serious about each other. Not that he made her any promises but taking her to bed when he knew how she loved that house and he was the one who was going to take it away from her sounded wrong. I think I needed much more than just one conversation at the end to feel that things would be made right between them.
The relationship between Anne and her family is sometimes a bit over the top. They all have serious problems and she takes all their bad behaviour without complaining. I just couldn't believe it.
But in the end Stuart's magic worked for me once more. Great characters that you feel about, a nice - almost gothic - atmosphere. Although this book has quite a few years I find myself more entertained when spending an afternoon reading it than with some of her more recent titles.
Grade: 4/5
I did like our heroine, Anne Kirkland, a lot! However in some things she sounded too good to be true, I mean she was treated like the one in the family without any talent - with her father, brother and sister all excelling at something - but the fact is that she excelled at several things too. They just weren't as fashionable and visible as their artistic endeavors. On the other hand her love for the house seemed a bit too much, although it is something I understand the fact that she was the only owner ready to make sacrifices for it should have alerted her to what they were planning. But she was sensible, nice, and crafty and it was impossible not to like her.
When Anne meets Noah there's instant chemistry between them. However, he is supposedly her sister's guest and love interest which leaves Anne uncomfortable when she finds out. The fact is that Noah is a bit of a bad guy in what concerns Anne, he is there under false pretenses, to evaluate the house she loves and buy it since the other 3 members of her family have agreed to sell.
While I think that if there are 4 owners and 3 want to sell then they are entitled to do so, I felt there was really no excuse for Noah to keep Anne ignorant for so long. She should have been told the truth as soon as they become serious about each other. Not that he made her any promises but taking her to bed when he knew how she loved that house and he was the one who was going to take it away from her sounded wrong. I think I needed much more than just one conversation at the end to feel that things would be made right between them.
The relationship between Anne and her family is sometimes a bit over the top. They all have serious problems and she takes all their bad behaviour without complaining. I just couldn't believe it.
But in the end Stuart's magic worked for me once more. Great characters that you feel about, a nice - almost gothic - atmosphere. Although this book has quite a few years I find myself more entertained when spending an afternoon reading it than with some of her more recent titles.
Grade: 4/5
December 6, 2016
Huh. Two books in a row with less than heroic heroes. I spent much of this one trying to decide if he were a beta with a shaky conscience or a gamma (it IS an Anne Stuart after all). It also uses that trope that irritates me - the h is engaged to someone else but it's not real love so therefore it's A-OK to cheat on him with the H.
I came to the conclusion that I had zero respect for, or even liking of pretty much everyone. The heroine, well, she did try telling the H "no" but when it came right down to it, she didn't exactly knee him in the balls for being too touchy-feely.
The father hadn't worn the pants in the family ever, and came across as petulant, spoiled and well, the point where he told the h she was a disappointment, I wanted to reach through the pages, grab him by his officious necktie and throw him out the nearest window.
The other siblings...
The sister was a spoiled brat who appeared to just expect everyone to cave to her.
The brother, in the midst of his dissipated drunkenness did warn the H to leave the h alone, having figured out WHY he was there and noted that he was sniffing around her.
The "H" was a blood sucking lawyer. He was on a mission at his former FIL's behest, to negotiate the purchase of the family abode from under the h's nose. So he pursued her, knowing that she was a) unavailable and b) going to be very upset about what he was doing. He was even briefly entertaining sleeping with her sister during the two weeks after he slept with her.
Then, when she saw her sister's stuff in his hotel room (after a romantic interlude), and figured out why he'd been sniffing around in the first place, he apparently assumed that she'd just let it all go with a bit of explanation on his part.
To her credit, she slipped out and disappeared. She likely would have avoided him forever if not for a manipulative aunt who conned her into helping build him a house - unwittingly. Her failing - when she found out it was his - was going back to take out her anger on the house. She should have just gotten in her car and disappeared. Heck, she should have found herself a motorcycle gang to join. Just...get away from these assholes.
I came to the conclusion that I had zero respect for, or even liking of pretty much everyone. The heroine, well, she did try telling the H "no" but when it came right down to it, she didn't exactly knee him in the balls for being too touchy-feely.
The father hadn't worn the pants in the family ever, and came across as petulant, spoiled and well, the point where he told the h she was a disappointment, I wanted to reach through the pages, grab him by his officious necktie and throw him out the nearest window.
The other siblings...
The sister was a spoiled brat who appeared to just expect everyone to cave to her.
The brother, in the midst of his dissipated drunkenness did warn the H to leave the h alone, having figured out WHY he was there and noted that he was sniffing around her.
The "H" was a blood sucking lawyer. He was on a mission at his former FIL's behest, to negotiate the purchase of the family abode from under the h's nose. So he pursued her, knowing that she was a) unavailable and b) going to be very upset about what he was doing. He was even briefly entertaining sleeping with her sister during the two weeks after he slept with her.
Then, when she saw her sister's stuff in his hotel room (after a romantic interlude), and figured out why he'd been sniffing around in the first place, he apparently assumed that she'd just let it all go with a bit of explanation on his part.
To her credit, she slipped out and disappeared. She likely would have avoided him forever if not for a manipulative aunt who conned her into helping build him a house - unwittingly. Her failing - when she found out it was his - was going back to take out her anger on the house. She should have just gotten in her car and disappeared. Heck, she should have found herself a motorcycle gang to join. Just...get away from these assholes.
August 20, 2015
Another Winner
Well once again Miss Ann Stuart dose it another winner.
Annie is trying to save a Galen down house and her sister and brother and father want it sold it is a money pit,.
But thinks it is a grand house and will a thing she v
Can to save it.
Till she meats Noah and falls in love then everything starts happing all at once.
A must read it if like Romance not your muddy mystery book but more of the love side.
I truly enjoyed it and look forward to reading more of Miss Ann's books.
Well once again Miss Ann Stuart dose it another winner.
Annie is trying to save a Galen down house and her sister and brother and father want it sold it is a money pit,.
But thinks it is a grand house and will a thing she v
Can to save it.
Till she meats Noah and falls in love then everything starts happing all at once.
A must read it if like Romance not your muddy mystery book but more of the love side.
I truly enjoyed it and look forward to reading more of Miss Ann's books.
April 29, 2014
Anne Kirkland is such a likeable character! I so related to her love for her house. Noah is a much more confusing character, dark and mocking. He's testing Anne, and she - and we - don't know why. Finally he understands her, & after that I rooted for him all the way.
I loved his atonement! The ending was utterly great! I've loved Anne Stuart's books for years, and this one rates up with the rest.
I loved his atonement! The ending was utterly great! I've loved Anne Stuart's books for years, and this one rates up with the rest.
October 26, 2010
Early, but enjoyable Anne Stuart.
October 1, 2012
It won't be at the top of my favorites by Anne Stuart, but I'll read anything she wrote, and this was a pleasant story with enough conflict to keep it interesting.
June 15, 2015
Well, that was ... something. Didn't love the massive family miscommunications or the cheating, did love Aunt Lillian. Noah was ... not my favorite AS hero. Annie grew on me.
November 14, 2015
Other than the rushed resolution, I quite enjoyed this.
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