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Lady's Choice
In this classic story by the New York Times bestselling author, Travis Sawyer returns to Jewel Harbor seeking revenge on the Grant family, who had humiliated him years ago. When he meets Juliana Grant, Travis realizes she is his perfect mate. Includes bonus features. Reissue.
304 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1989
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466 people want to read
About the author
Jayne Ann Krentz
401 books7,170 followersThe author of over 50 consecutive New York Times bestsellers, JAYNE ANN KRENTZ writes romantic-suspense in three different worlds: Contemporary (as Jayne Ann Krentz), historical (as Amanda Quick) and futuristic (as Jayne Castle). There are over 30 million copies of her books in print.
She earned a B.A. in History from the University of California at Santa Cruz and went on to obtain a Masters degree in Library Science from San Jose State University in California. Before she began writing full time she worked as a librarian in both academic and corporate libraries.
She earned a B.A. in History from the University of California at Santa Cruz and went on to obtain a Masters degree in Library Science from San Jose State University in California. Before she began writing full time she worked as a librarian in both academic and corporate libraries.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews
July 7, 2009
This is a reprint of a 1989 JAK Harlequin, but it holds up well over time.
When the book comes in, Julianna Grant and Travis Sawyer have already begun their affair - Julianna because she knew instantly that Travis was the one for her and Travis because Julianna was an unknown factor in his revenge against the Grant family. When Julianna blithely announces her marriage intentions towards Travis, he's bemused and shocked and regretful that he took this further than he'd planned. But he doesn't count on Julianna being as tenacious as she is. Even after his plot to ruin the family's inn - the one he should have gotten a part of five years ago - is revealed, Julianna still knows that there's no one else for her but Travis, and so she sets out to claim him.
I love Julianna Grant, I want to be her when I grow up: outspoken, smart, generous, and she goes for what she wants with all her heart. And that includes Travis. He knows he doesn't have a shot in hell against Julianna, so he concedes and spends the rest of the book doing everything possible to reverse the damage he's brought to the Grant family.
My only - and pretty big - complaint with this book is the reader comes in after Travis & Julianna have already met, after she's already fallen in love with him, and after his feelings are pretty cemented as well. There's no real emotional tension throughout most of the book - not until Travis's fears give Julianna a little doubt for about the last 1/4 of the book. But overall, a fun fast read with a kickass heroine. B+
When the book comes in, Julianna Grant and Travis Sawyer have already begun their affair - Julianna because she knew instantly that Travis was the one for her and Travis because Julianna was an unknown factor in his revenge against the Grant family. When Julianna blithely announces her marriage intentions towards Travis, he's bemused and shocked and regretful that he took this further than he'd planned. But he doesn't count on Julianna being as tenacious as she is. Even after his plot to ruin the family's inn - the one he should have gotten a part of five years ago - is revealed, Julianna still knows that there's no one else for her but Travis, and so she sets out to claim him.
I love Julianna Grant, I want to be her when I grow up: outspoken, smart, generous, and she goes for what she wants with all her heart. And that includes Travis. He knows he doesn't have a shot in hell against Julianna, so he concedes and spends the rest of the book doing everything possible to reverse the damage he's brought to the Grant family.
My only - and pretty big - complaint with this book is the reader comes in after Travis & Julianna have already met, after she's already fallen in love with him, and after his feelings are pretty cemented as well. There's no real emotional tension throughout most of the book - not until Travis's fears give Julianna a little doubt for about the last 1/4 of the book. But overall, a fun fast read with a kickass heroine. B+
February 23, 2018
What the heck??
This heroine was so naive it was unbelievable. After a few weeks of knowing each other and one night of sex she expected the H to marry her!! What century was she living in?? The poor H was so confused it was hilarious...and she was not kidding and got upset when he said he wasn't planning on marrying her. This all happened in the first few pages.
SHE IS 32 YEARS OLD!!
This heroine was so naive it was unbelievable. After a few weeks of knowing each other and one night of sex she expected the H to marry her!! What century was she living in?? The poor H was so confused it was hilarious...and she was not kidding and got upset when he said he wasn't planning on marrying her. This all happened in the first few pages.
SHE IS 32 YEARS OLD!!
August 4, 2012
one of my fave JAK's. This is one of those books that can always cheer me up when I'm in the blue zone.
May 9, 2012
I originally read this many, many moons ago. I'd forgotten how much I enjoyed it.
Juliana is an Amazonian coffee shop owner whose true love is tea. Travis is about to take revenge on her family for a business deal gone bad. Instead, he finds himself befuddled, enthralled and trying to save Juliana from his already-in-motion plans. Charming, funny and sweet. One of my favorites from this period (and the reason I started drinking tea).
Juliana is an Amazonian coffee shop owner whose true love is tea. Travis is about to take revenge on her family for a business deal gone bad. Instead, he finds himself befuddled, enthralled and trying to save Juliana from his already-in-motion plans. Charming, funny and sweet. One of my favorites from this period (and the reason I started drinking tea).
September 13, 2025
As usual loved it a thousand times.
November 22, 2019
One of her few backlist titles that I liked a lot. It does stand the passing time and has a MC who you can actually root for :)
April 25, 2022
3.5 stars rounded up to a 4.0
I wasn't expecting much other than a quick bedtime read when I picked this up. I've had it on the backburner for years because the cover didn't appeal and because it's a really old one of Jayne Ann Krentz'. But this book had a surprising amount of depth to it. I really liked the way the two headstrong leads kept butting heads with each other. JAK has a way of making such scenes really endearing and entertaining. I also really enjoyed the way Julianne handled her cousin. It was the best reaction to that annoying character type I've seen in a while. It's not as intricate as her later works but it's definitely a good read; very heartwarming and satisfying.
I wasn't expecting much other than a quick bedtime read when I picked this up. I've had it on the backburner for years because the cover didn't appeal and because it's a really old one of Jayne Ann Krentz'. But this book had a surprising amount of depth to it. I really liked the way the two headstrong leads kept butting heads with each other. JAK has a way of making such scenes really endearing and entertaining. I also really enjoyed the way Julianne handled her cousin. It was the best reaction to that annoying character type I've seen in a while. It's not as intricate as her later works but it's definitely a good read; very heartwarming and satisfying.
April 14, 2019
Strong H and stronger h, amazing dialogues, secondary characters, revenge, love, lust, business, passion comes together in a wonderful written book by Jayne Ann Krentz. For a book that was written in 1980s it was definitely modern in its perspective considering the run of the mill M&Bs floating in that era the alpha Hs who don't contribute anything other than their millions and all of their opinions and insipid virginal h's who take everything they get dished in the name of love and Cinderellas waiting for their prince to rescue them.
December 30, 2022
1989,and holds up well. I came to read Krentz after I already loved Quick and Castle. A fiesty heroine who owns a coffee shop in a small California town and her adorable hero. Krentz is from Seattle, so she knew about coffee shops and Starbucks didn't become popular until 1996, so a successful coffee shop with an eye to expanding was feasible. Juliana is a force of nature, and Travis may be the only man strong enough to hold her. A fast, fun read.
July 22, 2020
My Rating System:
* couldn't finish, ** wouldn't recommend, *** would recommend, **** would read again, ***** have read again.
June 15, 2020
Not one of this author's better books, but it does improve the further into the story you get.
April 12, 2025
I liked her strength & positive outlook, but his supposed "hardness" didn't quite come across well for me. Good enough story for 1 read, but not one I'd want to keep to read again in the future
August 6, 2012
Lady's Choice is a slim contemporary novel of only 250 pages.
A peek at the story: Juliana Grant is a tall, passionate but pragmatic red-haired businesswoman who knows what she wants, and never fears to be candid about it. And what she's wanted since she met Travis Sawyer, her new business consultant, is to marry him. Too bad it doesn't fit in his plans. After getting cheated by the Grant family five years ago, he is determined to have his revenge on them. On all of them. Now if only he didn't want Juliana so much...
In the beginning, I was afraid I was going to hate Juliana. A woman who expects a man to propose after their first night of sex? Come on... Thank God, while that behaviour is typical of what makes her unique and "crazy" (in a good way), we soon find out that she's had an instant intuition about Travis being the man for her. And the rest of the book is all about her going: "Was my intuition wrong this time?" Another thing about her is that she is "too much woman". Not being very girly or feminine myself, I don't identify with these heroines easily. But then two things occurred to me: 1) this is the 80's; 2) this is not serious! In the end, I had quite some fun picturing her in her outrageous outfits and ultra-modern house:
This short novel really is all about the heroine―for once the title is relevant. As a result, the hero didn't make a lasting impression on me. I could hardly visualize him wearing his "conservative striped ties" and driving his "nondescript Buick". The motive for his revenge also didn't fully convince me; not because it wasn't strong enough, but on the contrary, it seemed too big a deal for Juliana to resolve so technically. Travis and her family have a painful, awkward history together, yet past the unpleasant surprise of finding out, she doesn't really seem to care. I guess it's the heroine's prerogative to be mature enough to get over such annoying details, but in this case it felt just a little too artificial. Revenge plots are hard to carry through.
You have to admit, Juliana is glorious. Read this book for her, because she doesn't do half-measures, never gives up, and always gets what she wants.
A peek at the story: Juliana Grant is a tall, passionate but pragmatic red-haired businesswoman who knows what she wants, and never fears to be candid about it. And what she's wanted since she met Travis Sawyer, her new business consultant, is to marry him. Too bad it doesn't fit in his plans. After getting cheated by the Grant family five years ago, he is determined to have his revenge on them. On all of them. Now if only he didn't want Juliana so much...
In the beginning, I was afraid I was going to hate Juliana. A woman who expects a man to propose after their first night of sex? Come on... Thank God, while that behaviour is typical of what makes her unique and "crazy" (in a good way), we soon find out that she's had an instant intuition about Travis being the man for her. And the rest of the book is all about her going: "Was my intuition wrong this time?" Another thing about her is that she is "too much woman". Not being very girly or feminine myself, I don't identify with these heroines easily. But then two things occurred to me: 1) this is the 80's; 2) this is not serious! In the end, I had quite some fun picturing her in her outrageous outfits and ultra-modern house:
The electric-blue jumpsuit she's been wearing should have looked tacky or at least overpowering, and on anyone else it probably would have. But on Juliana it looked just right. It was as bold and animated as she was.
This short novel really is all about the heroine―for once the title is relevant. As a result, the hero didn't make a lasting impression on me. I could hardly visualize him wearing his "conservative striped ties" and driving his "nondescript Buick". The motive for his revenge also didn't fully convince me; not because it wasn't strong enough, but on the contrary, it seemed too big a deal for Juliana to resolve so technically. Travis and her family have a painful, awkward history together, yet past the unpleasant surprise of finding out, she doesn't really seem to care. I guess it's the heroine's prerogative to be mature enough to get over such annoying details, but in this case it felt just a little too artificial. Revenge plots are hard to carry through.
"You're engaged to me, you bastard," she yelled back through the windshield. "You can't walk out on me like this. I deserve an explanation and I'm warning you right now, whatever the explanation is, it won't be good enough. Because we aren't just engaged, we're partners, remember? You might be able to end an engagement like this, but you can't end a business relation so easily."
You have to admit, Juliana is glorious. Read this book for her, because she doesn't do half-measures, never gives up, and always gets what she wants.
March 2, 2010
Juliana is shocked to learn Travis isn't planning to propose after their night together. But she loves him so she offers him a month to figure it out. Travis takes her up on it, even though he is sure it will come crashing down before then, as his plan of revenge against her family is about to come to fruition.
They both use their business ties (she hired him as a consultant about her coffee business) to stay together and try and solve the problems.
It is classic JAK, which I love. The hero is stoic and the heroine is independent and quirky.
They both use their business ties (she hired him as a consultant about her coffee business) to stay together and try and solve the problems.
It is classic JAK, which I love. The hero is stoic and the heroine is independent and quirky.
June 29, 2015
I found myself cringing on behalf of the h, and her ultimatum that she's giving him one month to figure out that he's in love with her and to propose marriage. *sigh*
Not a bad story. Oh, and thank god, That kindda thing dampens things for me.
umm... what was the point of the ex-wife (Jeannie)? his first marriage had ended in divorce when his wife had gone back to her first husband. just more abandonment angst for our H, i guess.
Not a bad story. Oh, and thank god, That kindda thing dampens things for me.
umm... what was the point of the ex-wife (Jeannie)? his first marriage had ended in divorce when his wife had gone back to her first husband. just more abandonment angst for our H, i guess.
June 20, 2024
I think I say the same thing about all this authors books. They are easy to read as the writing is smooth and flows easily. I rarely have trouble getting into her books immediately and wanting to read them without stopping. They make me smile all the time, cry occasionally, laugh out loud on occasion, and there is always a little to a lot of suspense. As the years have gone by her suspense has gotten more involved. Which I like. Truly a wonderful writer.
Second reading - still an enjoyable book. Will keep to read again in a few years.
Second reading - still an enjoyable book. Will keep to read again in a few years.
January 2, 2022
One of my favorites of JAK's Temptation pubs
Re-reading because I had convinced myself that this was one of JAK's early hardcover books and I couldn't find it on my shelves. I finally decided that it had to be one of the series paperbacks and voila there it was. I always loved the part when Juliana chases down Travis who has abruptly left their engagement party and jumps onto the hood of his car to stop him.
Re-reading because I had convinced myself that this was one of JAK's early hardcover books and I couldn't find it on my shelves. I finally decided that it had to be one of the series paperbacks and voila there it was. I always loved the part when Juliana chases down Travis who has abruptly left their engagement party and jumps onto the hood of his car to stop him.
June 26, 2016
At first I was afraid I wasn't going to like this one. I found Juliana hard to relate to, and wasn't sure I would like her. As soon as she and Travis had sex for the first time she just assumed that they would be getting married. I'm fine with old fashioned but good lord, it was the 80's/early 90's, not 1900. However, once they got past that little bump in the road I began to enjoy the book, and I particularly liked Travis by the end.
November 25, 2017
For a relatively short Krentz, this book has very strong characters and great dialogue, both of which contribute to a witty, fun, and fast-paced romp from betrothal to marriage when the incomparable Juliana Grant meets Travis Sawyer.
July 11, 2010
2.5 stars
Turns out I actually did read this, long ago (early 90's, probably). Definitely very early Krentz in many ways. Including this inimitable line: "The clear, bright California sunshine danced across the bay and slammed cheerfully through the condominium's bedroom windows."
Turns out I actually did read this, long ago (early 90's, probably). Definitely very early Krentz in many ways. Including this inimitable line: "The clear, bright California sunshine danced across the bay and slammed cheerfully through the condominium's bedroom windows."
June 10, 2010
Travis Sawyer has a plan. The plan is revenge. Juliana Grant has a plan, too. She has picked out Travis Sawyer as Mr. Right. When Travis plans a hostile takeover of the resort in which Juliana has invested a large part of her money, Julianna makes a decision--to take matters into her own hands.
September 2, 2012
Krentz's hero Travis is remarkably unpleasant. Her heroine Juliana is a different matter, so dramatic that her poses tickled my funnybone. Eventually Travis undergoes a transformation through love, of course, so by halfway through the book isn't unpleasant anymore.
March 3, 2015
Trashy but super entertaining. It was the perfect destress chick lit. I would recommend it for anyone looking for something cliche and raunchy (we all have those moods when good literature just doesn't cut it)
November 23, 2015
Fiesty and clever Heroine. I really think her family shortchanged the Hero and treated bith H and h shabbily. Especially the cousin and ex-fiancé...I wanted to dislike them but they are just human afterall. Kind of typical JAK where family is always involved in plots. A good read nevertheless.
Read
September 11, 2008F Kre
Read
May 18, 2009The only book by Jayne Ann Krentz that I haven't liked...so far.
Want to read
September 1, 2009have
September 23, 2010
Good story. Very funny female lead.
May 23, 2015
Enemies to lovers, this is the book for you. For those who enjoy Ms. Krentz's sins of the father trope, this is another good one.
August 24, 2012
Another JAK oldie but I really enjoyed Juliana's irrepressible character.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews