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By My Side: From This Day / Temptation
From This Day
When B. J. Clark, manager of the Lakeside Inn, met the new owner, Taylor Reynolds, she was fully prepared to dislike him. She feared--and with good reason--that he planned to transform her lovely, sleepy old hotel into a resort for jet-setters. But when sparks flew between them, B.J. soon found herself torn between her professional antagonism and her growing attraction to the man she had sworn to despise.
Temptation
Socialite Eden Carlbough didn't expect running a girls' camp to be easy, but she never thought she'd literally be run up an apple tree by the little monsters--nor did she think she'd come crashing down into the capable arms of orchard owner Chase Elliot. Chase knew he'd caught a windfall when he looked at the woman in his arms. He didn't like being cast as the serpent, but how could he resist when she'd just offered him such forbidden fruit?
When B. J. Clark, manager of the Lakeside Inn, met the new owner, Taylor Reynolds, she was fully prepared to dislike him. She feared--and with good reason--that he planned to transform her lovely, sleepy old hotel into a resort for jet-setters. But when sparks flew between them, B.J. soon found herself torn between her professional antagonism and her growing attraction to the man she had sworn to despise.
Temptation
Socialite Eden Carlbough didn't expect running a girls' camp to be easy, but she never thought she'd literally be run up an apple tree by the little monsters--nor did she think she'd come crashing down into the capable arms of orchard owner Chase Elliot. Chase knew he'd caught a windfall when he looked at the woman in his arms. He didn't like being cast as the serpent, but how could he resist when she'd just offered him such forbidden fruit?
352 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1987
9 people are currently reading
766 people want to read
About the author
Nora Roberts
1,209 books59.7k followersNora Roberts is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of more than 200 novels, including Hideaway, Under Currents, Come Sundown, The Awakening, Legacy, and coming in November 2021 -- The Becoming -- the second book in The Dragon Heart Legacy. She is also the author of the futuristic suspense In Death series written under the pen name J.D. Robb. There are more than 500 million copies of her books in print.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 48 reviews
May 15, 2018
The first story I really did not care for; the story line was ok but I did not care for the male character at all! The second story was much better! Exactly what you would expect from Nora Roberts.
August 19, 2015
Her writing is good, as per usual but I'm so sick of the paternalistic bossy 50 Shades crap. I almost chucked it in the trash.
February 8, 2022
Had the locations and character names not been different, these two stories would have been practically identical. A stubborn woman and an aggressive male pursuing her, until the woman finds herself to be madly in love and the man persists until they end up together and committed to a near-future marriage. The author has a strange obsession with writing the man as one who on first encounter physically touches and kisses the woman, has some fetish for grabbing and stroking the throat, and does not cease this behavior despite being told "no" repeatedly. While the writing was good, it's a shame the story line was so poor. In the first story, the author introduces Darla, someone employed by Taylor and clearly interested in him, just to make B.J. jealous and insecure. In the second story, the author brings back the ex-fiancée Eric, just to anger Eden and make Chade jealous (so creative). I think the most annoying part of these stories were that the women would THEMSELVES initiate intimate encounters with their respective men just to turn around and say "no, I don't want this!". What a toxic and infuriating game of cat and mouse.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 13, 2015
Let me start by saying that I know I should keep myself away from romance novels. Lately, whenever I touch them instead of two people falling in love, I appear to be getting icky otherwise. This was no exception, sadly.
The first story was... horrible is not even reaching this monstrosity. I'm sorry, but last time I checked NO. MEANS. NO. ... the main guy in this story didn't even seem to remotely grasp this concept as he kept advancing towards the main heroine. Even worse, the more she said no the more forceful he became.
It gets worse when the heroine realizes that she's "in love" in the middle of a very unwanted grope session. If that's what you think love is (a guy practically forcing himself on you at every opportunity until he wears you down...) shiver . At a few points the main character even tried to freaking hide from him and he came and found her because WHAT WAS WRONG and WHY WAS SHE AVOIDING HIM. The jerk. Not helped by the fact that he played mental games with her to see how far she'd go. The creep.
It gets creepier upon realizing that this story takes place in the span of... two weeks. Yep. two whole weeks. All it is is unwanted grope city and the two characters decide to get M-A-R-R-I-E-D. ugh. The two characters DON'T EVEN KNOW EACH OTHER, JUST THAT THEY MIGHT BE POSSIBLY SEXUALLY ATTRACTED TO ONE ANOTHER.
*face palm after face palm after face palm* okay. I'm not even going to bother face palming myself. I need a place where my head can meet a wall a few times to get this imagery out of my head.
The second story wasn't much better, from what I understood of my reading.
Guy liked girl, girl didn't like him back. So he chased and chased hard. Sounds romantic enough, right? Wrong. If the setting had been anywhere but where it was... a girl's camp for teens, it might have been okay. Instead what you get is a grown female trying to show teen girls how to be women and set boundaries, but the main male didn't understand this . Instead he just wanted to keep trying to get into her pants. At least when she said no he backed off before trying again instead of constantly groping her. So, there's that.
I said it before, I'll say it again, I should be kept away from Romances. But the plots just sounded so cute. They were anything but cute to me. Instead I found them disturbing to no end.
The first story was... horrible is not even reaching this monstrosity. I'm sorry, but last time I checked NO. MEANS. NO. ... the main guy in this story didn't even seem to remotely grasp this concept as he kept advancing towards the main heroine. Even worse, the more she said no the more forceful he became.
It gets worse when the heroine realizes that she's "in love" in the middle of a very unwanted grope session. If that's what you think love is (a guy practically forcing himself on you at every opportunity until he wears you down...) shiver . At a few points the main character even tried to freaking hide from him and he came and found her because WHAT WAS WRONG and WHY WAS SHE AVOIDING HIM. The jerk. Not helped by the fact that he played mental games with her to see how far she'd go. The creep.
It gets creepier upon realizing that this story takes place in the span of... two weeks. Yep. two whole weeks. All it is is unwanted grope city and the two characters decide to get M-A-R-R-I-E-D. ugh. The two characters DON'T EVEN KNOW EACH OTHER, JUST THAT THEY MIGHT BE POSSIBLY SEXUALLY ATTRACTED TO ONE ANOTHER.
*face palm after face palm after face palm* okay. I'm not even going to bother face palming myself. I need a place where my head can meet a wall a few times to get this imagery out of my head.
The second story wasn't much better, from what I understood of my reading.
Guy liked girl, girl didn't like him back. So he chased and chased hard. Sounds romantic enough, right? Wrong. If the setting had been anywhere but where it was... a girl's camp for teens, it might have been okay. Instead what you get is a grown female trying to show teen girls how to be women and set boundaries, but the main male didn't understand this . Instead he just wanted to keep trying to get into her pants. At least when she said no he backed off before trying again instead of constantly groping her. So, there's that.
I said it before, I'll say it again, I should be kept away from Romances. But the plots just sounded so cute. They were anything but cute to me. Instead I found them disturbing to no end.
March 14, 2020
Two stories from 1980s. Now they look very naive and simple, practically no sex.
B.J.Clark (Bea Jay ) ,24, manages an old-fashion inn and doesn't want any changes. Enter Taylor, the new owner,and his would-be girlfriend, Darla. At first, Taylor mistakes B.J. for a teenager, a schoolgirl .Darla does her best to discourage B.J. from taking interest in her new boss.
Eden comes from a rich and influential family in Philadelphia. Her father, a gambler, has recently died.Now Eden had to sell her home, she has almost no money .Eric,her fiancee, dumps her.
Eden invests most of her money in a a partnership with her friend Candy. They run a girls summer camp near the estate of Chase Elliiot. Chase has apple orchards and has an apple business.
When Chase meets Eden, he thinks her a 12-year old girl from a camp.Upon learning his mistake Chase is attracted to Eden. Alliterations to Eden , apple and serpent are mentioned at least twice.
I liked the mischief-loving Roberta (12 ) .
Eden has to spend some time with both Eric and Chase (they are distant cousins ) and gets fed up with both, when they vie for her attention.So she tells them both to stay away from her.She finally grows up and likes to be her own person and make her own decisions..Only Chase has other plans..
B.J.Clark (Bea Jay ) ,24, manages an old-fashion inn and doesn't want any changes. Enter Taylor, the new owner,and his would-be girlfriend, Darla. At first, Taylor mistakes B.J. for a teenager, a schoolgirl .Darla does her best to discourage B.J. from taking interest in her new boss.
Eden comes from a rich and influential family in Philadelphia. Her father, a gambler, has recently died.Now Eden had to sell her home, she has almost no money .Eric,her fiancee, dumps her.
Eden invests most of her money in a a partnership with her friend Candy. They run a girls summer camp near the estate of Chase Elliiot. Chase has apple orchards and has an apple business.
When Chase meets Eden, he thinks her a 12-year old girl from a camp.Upon learning his mistake Chase is attracted to Eden. Alliterations to Eden , apple and serpent are mentioned at least twice.
I liked the mischief-loving Roberta (12 ) .
Eden has to spend some time with both Eric and Chase (they are distant cousins ) and gets fed up with both, when they vie for her attention.So she tells them both to stay away from her.She finally grows up and likes to be her own person and make her own decisions..Only Chase has other plans..
March 22, 2020
From This Day- no no no. If I could give this one zero stars I would. There were so many problems in it; the main character B.J. was 24 and had the emotional development of a 14 year old, unrealistic job, and no sense of worth. Taylor sucked. There were no redeeming qualities. He was emotionally abusive, narcissist. Not to mention he mentioned multiple times how he was attracted to BJ because she was child like. Disturbing much? The plot was very run of the mill, what you would expect with no mystery or thrill. I feel I should state NO MEANS NO. Because no matter how many times no was said BJ was ignored because apparently a man knows her feelings more than she does?
Temptation- This was a cute short story, on its own I would have given it 3 stars. It was a cute little book about Eden discovering her worth and emotions and finding love along the way. Chase and Eden were both likable characters in my opinion which made the story more enjoyable.
Temptation- This was a cute short story, on its own I would have given it 3 stars. It was a cute little book about Eden discovering her worth and emotions and finding love along the way. Chase and Eden were both likable characters in my opinion which made the story more enjoyable.
September 4, 2022
This book contains 2 stories - From this Day and Temptation. Both of these books are fantastic, quick reads that give you a content feeling while reading them.
From this day puts B.J Clark and Taylor Reynolds together. They are not a likely pair but they are absolutely great together. There were a few times in the book I wanted to reach out and slight slap Taylor in the back of the head but in the end...These 2 were wonderful.
Temptation put Eden Carlbough and Chase Elliot together. These 2 make a great couple from the first in my opinion but Eden needed more convincing. There were a few times in this book I wanted to reach out and give Eden a slight slap on the back of the head but in the end...These 2 figured it out.
I would definitely recommend
From this day puts B.J Clark and Taylor Reynolds together. They are not a likely pair but they are absolutely great together. There were a few times in the book I wanted to reach out and slight slap Taylor in the back of the head but in the end...These 2 were wonderful.
Temptation put Eden Carlbough and Chase Elliot together. These 2 make a great couple from the first in my opinion but Eden needed more convincing. There were a few times in this book I wanted to reach out and give Eden a slight slap on the back of the head but in the end...These 2 figured it out.
I would definitely recommend
July 4, 2019
I was completely disturbed with the Male characters in both stories, but more so in 'From This Day.' I realize these were written in the mid-80s, but their behavior was disgusting. A male who is your boss, touching and kissing her and not accepting the word 'NO' made this a hard read. Again in 'Temptation,' the male character was acting as though the female character was a conquest that he would have, it just wasn't as forward.
This was my first Nora Roberts experience. I hope a future selection may prove to be a better read.
This was my first Nora Roberts experience. I hope a future selection may prove to be a better read.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 17, 2017
Some of the other reviews are right, these stories seem a bit creepy if not inappropriate and lacking respect. No one should think a man should put hands on or impose himself physically on a woman and that she wants it that way or as a result will fall helplessly in lust for more. It's also sad that the women said no, but didn't mean no. Or thought they shouldn't mean no. That said, and I'm very honest here, back in the early 80s this happened. And has continued from the sound of current events. It's not a good thing.
November 21, 2023
Jak człowiek może po kilku minutach pocałować laskę którą pierwszy raz widzi na oczy? A po 2 tygodniach znajomości być pewnym tego że zostanie jego żoną? Ale tak poza tym bardzo się wkręciłam i nawet mi się podobało chociaż kilka razy miałam takie ,,co jest xd?"
December 21, 2018
From this day: Nice light short story. I always like Nora Roberts. Haven’t read second story yet
Read
April 24, 2020The first story from this day wasn't very good but the second story temptation was very good.
October 24, 2020
Great read!!!
August 16, 2021
old Nora Roberts so a bit dated
July 28, 2022
Fun - two reads in one book!
Both of these stories were fun and light - fun summer reading.
Both of these stories were fun and light - fun summer reading.
May 24, 2023
Eden has to start over. She starts a summer camp for girls. She just has to contend with the neighbor.
May 26, 2023
The first book included in this two book novel is not great. The two main characters are usually mad at each other until suddenly they are getting married. Not my fave.
Second book was better.
Second book was better.
May 23, 2012
From This Day - 2 stars
This is one of those repackaged 2 for 1 collections of older Nora Roberts stories. Reading From This Day, it’s clear that this was written in another era because there are things in this book that modern romance readers will probably not enjoy. First of all, the male lead Taylor, is a tool. Don’t get me wrong. I love an confident, somewhat arrogant alpha male any day. But Taylor crosses that fine line between confident bad boy and domineering chauvinist. He breezes into town, demanding explanations and threatening changes, all the while calmly telling B.J. that it’s only a matter of time before he gets her into bed. And while I usually appreciate a man who goes after the woman, Taylor was just too forceful and didn't take any of B.J.’s feelings into consideration. There were times, too, where he would flash hot and cold, kissing her passionately one moment and then pushing her away the next. There was an explanation for it at the end but it didn't make much sense to me. He would also have these odd flashes of anger and violence that were never explained. I think part of the problem is that the book is told from B.J.’s point of view so we never get a glimpse of what Taylor is thinking. We have no clue what his internal struggles might be and indeed, we learn almost nothing about his past. Without any context for his actions, I can only take them at face value. It made no sense to me why B.J. would have fallen in love with him.
It’s also strange that that B.J. is is described as being very young looking. Taylor actually mistakes her for a teenager when he first meets her. But then she puts on grown up clothes and everything goes on as normal. Then at the very, very end after all the misunderstandings are understood and they are about to live happily ever after, Taylor stares into her eyes and tells her that she looks like a child, that she has a child’s lips. Ew, creepy.
I’d skip this one unless you’re a Nora Roberts completionist. I didn’t feel any connection between the two main characters and didn't like the male lead at all.
Temptation - 3 stars
The second story in this collection is much more of what I was expecting from Nora Roberts. Set at a girls’ summer camp, it is a quick, sweet read with a little bit of heat to keep it interesting. Eden is a very likable heroine. Once a spoiled socialite, she has lost everything, including her fiancee who ditched her as soon as scandal hit her name. Even though she’s grown up with a silver spoon, she isn’t snobbish or mean. Though not accustomed to work, she doesn’t shy away from working hard and is intent on making the camp succeed and proving herself.
Chase is sexy and just the right amount of confident. He pursues Eden but it never veers into stalker territory. There’s also just something super hot about a guy who outdoors and knows how to use his hands. The romance between Chase and Eden believable and they had some great chemistry.
I also really enjoyed the camp setting. I never got to go to camp as a child but it make me think of those movies from the 80’s set in summer camp, complete with the troublemaker campers and food fights. A very fun, quick read.
Overall:
Averaging the rating for these stories this collection would be 2.5 stars. However, I am bumping it up to 3 stars (since there are no half stars) and because I liked the second story. I recommend skipping From This Day and going straight to Temptation.
This is one of those repackaged 2 for 1 collections of older Nora Roberts stories. Reading From This Day, it’s clear that this was written in another era because there are things in this book that modern romance readers will probably not enjoy. First of all, the male lead Taylor, is a tool. Don’t get me wrong. I love an confident, somewhat arrogant alpha male any day. But Taylor crosses that fine line between confident bad boy and domineering chauvinist. He breezes into town, demanding explanations and threatening changes, all the while calmly telling B.J. that it’s only a matter of time before he gets her into bed. And while I usually appreciate a man who goes after the woman, Taylor was just too forceful and didn't take any of B.J.’s feelings into consideration. There were times, too, where he would flash hot and cold, kissing her passionately one moment and then pushing her away the next. There was an explanation for it at the end but it didn't make much sense to me. He would also have these odd flashes of anger and violence that were never explained. I think part of the problem is that the book is told from B.J.’s point of view so we never get a glimpse of what Taylor is thinking. We have no clue what his internal struggles might be and indeed, we learn almost nothing about his past. Without any context for his actions, I can only take them at face value. It made no sense to me why B.J. would have fallen in love with him.
It’s also strange that that B.J. is is described as being very young looking. Taylor actually mistakes her for a teenager when he first meets her. But then she puts on grown up clothes and everything goes on as normal. Then at the very, very end after all the misunderstandings are understood and they are about to live happily ever after, Taylor stares into her eyes and tells her that she looks like a child, that she has a child’s lips. Ew, creepy.
I’d skip this one unless you’re a Nora Roberts completionist. I didn’t feel any connection between the two main characters and didn't like the male lead at all.
Temptation - 3 stars
The second story in this collection is much more of what I was expecting from Nora Roberts. Set at a girls’ summer camp, it is a quick, sweet read with a little bit of heat to keep it interesting. Eden is a very likable heroine. Once a spoiled socialite, she has lost everything, including her fiancee who ditched her as soon as scandal hit her name. Even though she’s grown up with a silver spoon, she isn’t snobbish or mean. Though not accustomed to work, she doesn’t shy away from working hard and is intent on making the camp succeed and proving herself.
Chase is sexy and just the right amount of confident. He pursues Eden but it never veers into stalker territory. There’s also just something super hot about a guy who outdoors and knows how to use his hands. The romance between Chase and Eden believable and they had some great chemistry.
I also really enjoyed the camp setting. I never got to go to camp as a child but it make me think of those movies from the 80’s set in summer camp, complete with the troublemaker campers and food fights. A very fun, quick read.
Overall:
Averaging the rating for these stories this collection would be 2.5 stars. However, I am bumping it up to 3 stars (since there are no half stars) and because I liked the second story. I recommend skipping From This Day and going straight to Temptation.
February 16, 2017
So the first story, From This Day, was awful. Pushy, arrogant, rape-y love interest. She should have called the police, to be honest. It was disgusting.
The second story, Temptation, however, was super cute. Super, super, super cute.
The 4 stars are for the second one. None for the first. F*ck the first one.
The second story, Temptation, however, was super cute. Super, super, super cute.
The 4 stars are for the second one. None for the first. F*ck the first one.
February 24, 2016
Well...lets see. Two stories one book. Ok, novella? Two women and two guys both insanely hot and rich, of course. *eye roll* Well, it is romance so I guess I should've expected it. I only read so I wouldn't feel like everything in reading is high fantasy, but high fantasy does sound really good right now...or some sci-fi. Anyways. This book was short, but really sweet, my one biggest problem with it, is when did people all of a sudden fall in love within a week or a month. Not just any love though, by love I meant, the act of proposing too. Yes. I said that right, they proposed. If true love worked like that, I'll be Mrs. Pizza Slice now.
Which is why I only gave this book 3 stars, but I didn't hate it. Just too. Impossible?
Which is why I only gave this book 3 stars, but I didn't hate it. Just too. Impossible?
June 27, 2013
This is a two for one read. Skip the first story and you will enjoy story two, "Temptation."
The first story was just one unwelcome advance, groping and kiss fest from an undeveloped character represeted as the new Inn owner. The "anger in his eyes" over and over would warn any self respecting heroine not to fall for him.
I expect more from Nora Roberts and any good editorial team. There could have ben a story here if developed further. As is, don't waste your time.
"Temptation," on the other hand, was a pleasant read and allowed time for an actual story to unfold.
The ending was a bit weak, but after reading "From This Day" you were glad to see a nice guy get the girl.
The first story was just one unwelcome advance, groping and kiss fest from an undeveloped character represeted as the new Inn owner. The "anger in his eyes" over and over would warn any self respecting heroine not to fall for him.
I expect more from Nora Roberts and any good editorial team. There could have ben a story here if developed further. As is, don't waste your time.
"Temptation," on the other hand, was a pleasant read and allowed time for an actual story to unfold.
The ending was a bit weak, but after reading "From This Day" you were glad to see a nice guy get the girl.
September 12, 2011
From This Day - 2 Stars
The hero was an alphole. If some of the things he had done in this book had happened in real life he would have been handling sexual harrasment charges, not a child/woman falling in love with him.
I almost stopped reading the book as soon as I ended the first story because it made me so mad.
But, I'm glad I didn't!
Temptation - 4 stars
I genuinely liked the heroine AND hero in this story. The supporting characters were fantastic, especially for a shorter novella, and the romance was believable. Very cute & decently steamy.
The hero was an alphole. If some of the things he had done in this book had happened in real life he would have been handling sexual harrasment charges, not a child/woman falling in love with him.
I almost stopped reading the book as soon as I ended the first story because it made me so mad.
But, I'm glad I didn't!
Temptation - 4 stars
I genuinely liked the heroine AND hero in this story. The supporting characters were fantastic, especially for a shorter novella, and the romance was believable. Very cute & decently steamy.
September 8, 2013
I wasn't sure how to rate this book as I did not like the first story but loved the second.
There were so many thing that bothered me about From this Day. Definitely not a good example of Nora Roberts talent. Things seemed too rushed and not laid out well.
Temptation on the other hand was wonderful. Great characters & storyline. I fell in love with Chase while reading it.
If you are reading the book & not living From this Day stop and skip to Temptation....you won't be sorry.
There were so many thing that bothered me about From this Day. Definitely not a good example of Nora Roberts talent. Things seemed too rushed and not laid out well.
Temptation on the other hand was wonderful. Great characters & storyline. I fell in love with Chase while reading it.
If you are reading the book & not living From this Day stop and skip to Temptation....you won't be sorry.
December 28, 2009
This was a 2 in 1 book. The first was From This Day which wasn't great at all. Both of these stories were basically cat and mouse stories. The guy chased around the girl who didn't want a relationship and then at the very end realized they loved the man and decided to marry them. The second book was called Temptation and although I felt it was exactly like the first book it was better.
August 7, 2011
A typical Nora Roberts book. Very easy to read and makes you feel good to read it. Everyone ends up happy at then end, unlike real life. Have read a lot of Nora Roberts and will continue to do so. I needed something very quick and light hearted knowing that my vacation is over and I have to go back to work tomorrow!
August 19, 2014
Muito fraquinho, dentro do estilo dela mas demasiado anos 80 e muito pouca história a meu ver, não me identifiquei minimamente com as personagens tanto na primeira como na segunda história não houve ali nada que me prendesse, o protagonista da primeira irritou-me quase sempre, o da segunda sempre tinha algum charme mas acho sinceramente que faltou sal em qualquer uma delas.
September 17, 2007
Easy summer beach reading
Most memorable for myself is the first story which is about a fiesty hotel manager who is against the new owner and the love story that unfolds. Predictable but a nice read.
Most memorable for myself is the first story which is about a fiesty hotel manager who is against the new owner and the love story that unfolds. Predictable but a nice read.
November 30, 2010
I thought these two books were really entertaining. Rich, hot guy pursues beautiful, feisty young lady...I actually caught myself laughing out loud a couple times because of the melodramatic effects. Fun to read. A little spicy at times.
December 3, 2012
Trade Paperback, three-in-one: TONIGHT AND ALWAYS, A MATTER OF CHOICE, & ENDINGS AND BEGINNINGS. I am enjoying these older novellas(?)(very short romances) from Nora's earlier days. It's interesting to view & recognize an author's progression into excellence.
June 30, 2016
Thought 'Temptation' was better than 'From This Day'. T sucked you in and had you rooting for the couple to work out. FTD was slow and I felt a lot of details and build-up was left out of their love story.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 48 reviews