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Call It Destiny
Jake Cavender wants Heather Strand on his terms, not on the terms this cool, calculating businesswoman decided would apply to their marriage. But when she learns he's deceived her, she walks. Later, forced to admit to herself that she truly does love him, this modern woman must choose between her head and her heart -- between her dreams and her desires.
248 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published July 15, 1984
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372 people want to read
About the author
Jayne Ann Krentz
401 books7,173 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 - 24 of 24 reviews
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October 19, 2016Heather Strand returns to the Hacienda Strand resort after making a name for herself in the hotel business and ready to assume the mantel of owner/operator from her father. She's also willing to enter into a marriage of convenience with her father's "right hand man" Jake Cavender.
SPOILERS FOLLOW
Unfortunately, on the eve of her wedding, Heather finds out that Jake already bought the hotel and when she becomes his wife, he'll pretty much own her, too and btw she's not the boss of anything. Heather tries to run away and she's betrayed again by her staff who tell him exactly where to find her and also a hotel manager who GIVES HIM THE KEY TO HER ROOM and how does this person know he's not her abusive stalker (which he kind of is) and he proceeds to tell her why he and her dad lied to her FOR HER OWN GOOD, and it's fine she should just fall in love with him anyway, and I'm pretty sure he was about to overwhelm her with his passionate magnetism, which if it wasn't for that, this would totally be rape and I just couldn't anymore. Book, meet wall.
SPOILERS FOLLOW
Unfortunately, on the eve of her wedding, Heather finds out that Jake already bought the hotel and when she becomes his wife, he'll pretty much own her, too and btw she's not the boss of anything. Heather tries to run away and she's betrayed again by her staff who tell him exactly where to find her and also a hotel manager who GIVES HIM THE KEY TO HER ROOM and how does this person know he's not her abusive stalker (which he kind of is) and he proceeds to tell her why he and her dad lied to her FOR HER OWN GOOD, and it's fine she should just fall in love with him anyway, and I'm pretty sure he was about to overwhelm her with his passionate magnetism, which if it wasn't for that, this would totally be rape and I just couldn't anymore. Book, meet wall.
September 13, 2016
The plot was interesting and I liked Heather but Jake on the other hand got on my nerves .. every time he starts to grow on me .. he opens his mouth and I remember why I disliked him so much in the first place .. he was arrogant and his superior acts were annoying .. and Heather didn't even get an apology and instead got blamed for something completely out of her hands. A hero that needs some serious beating with a frying pan !!
March 14, 2013
I picked up this book in a $1 used book bin while my children were browsing video games at a local used video/book retailer. I was drawn to the author (JAK is one of my favourites) and the cover (I'm from Arizona).
I knew before I started reading that this was going to be one of her pre-1990 politically incorrect novels, as were many romances from this era. Men were going to be strong, and the women were going to be confused, even if they were supposed to be strong also. All of JAK usual elements are here: the male protagonist is brave, smart and emotionally wounded; the female protagonist is brave, smart, emotional and intuitive, and her love allows him to get beyond his past and brings out his emotional side.
There are many good things about this novel. Having come from Southern Arizona, her descriptive landscapes are dead on, even if she minimizes the heat of the day (all the characters seem very overdressed). The female protagonist is intelligent and self assured, the male character is also, and this is the primary source of conflict. Intelligence and self-worth in a female character is always a good thing. The banter between the characters is always interesting if somewhat confusing. The sub-plot is interesting, if contrived, but does allow the characters to save one another, which is nice, rather than the male rescuing the female and her being just very grateful.
There are some bad things too. Talk about "wife-beating" and "beating" comes up at least four times in this rather slim novel, although with the caveat stated very early in the novel that the male character was unlikely to be a wife-beater. This sort of possible implied violence in the male protagonist is something very seldom seen in more modern novels, and is rather jarring to read. Also bad is the whole implied plot, where there are important things left unsaid, which makes the female character look stupid and arrogant, and the male character smug and all-knowing. Aarrgh. Her thinking processes are very confusing, and it's hard to see where she's drawing her conclusions from. There are at least two places in this book where I think the main female character should have left the male, gone back to her own successful previous life, and he should have come groveling to her, having realized that he was in the wrong (which he was) and apologized. She gives in much too easily, and that leaves a bad taste in the mouth of most modern readers.
It's a book of its time. It's not one of her best, it's not one of her worse. If you read it knowing the time period that it's written in, it's a lot easier to forgive the characters!
I knew before I started reading that this was going to be one of her pre-1990 politically incorrect novels, as were many romances from this era. Men were going to be strong, and the women were going to be confused, even if they were supposed to be strong also. All of JAK usual elements are here: the male protagonist is brave, smart and emotionally wounded; the female protagonist is brave, smart, emotional and intuitive, and her love allows him to get beyond his past and brings out his emotional side.
There are many good things about this novel. Having come from Southern Arizona, her descriptive landscapes are dead on, even if she minimizes the heat of the day (all the characters seem very overdressed). The female protagonist is intelligent and self assured, the male character is also, and this is the primary source of conflict. Intelligence and self-worth in a female character is always a good thing. The banter between the characters is always interesting if somewhat confusing. The sub-plot is interesting, if contrived, but does allow the characters to save one another, which is nice, rather than the male rescuing the female and her being just very grateful.
There are some bad things too. Talk about "wife-beating" and "beating" comes up at least four times in this rather slim novel, although with the caveat stated very early in the novel that the male character was unlikely to be a wife-beater. This sort of possible implied violence in the male protagonist is something very seldom seen in more modern novels, and is rather jarring to read. Also bad is the whole implied plot, where there are important things left unsaid, which makes the female character look stupid and arrogant, and the male character smug and all-knowing. Aarrgh. Her thinking processes are very confusing, and it's hard to see where she's drawing her conclusions from. There are at least two places in this book where I think the main female character should have left the male, gone back to her own successful previous life, and he should have come groveling to her, having realized that he was in the wrong (which he was) and apologized. She gives in much too easily, and that leaves a bad taste in the mouth of most modern readers.
It's a book of its time. It's not one of her best, it's not one of her worse. If you read it knowing the time period that it's written in, it's a lot easier to forgive the characters!
May 1, 2022
No way!!! Even for a story written in the '80s, it doesn't make sense. The H is a jerk, and the h lacks any kind of intelligence to see what her life was going to be like. The '80s are no excuse for the weakness of the plot.
February 11, 2012
An oldie from JAK. This review is for the abridged audio edition, which ran for about 3 hours. Basically, this edition was a collation of a number of scenes, mostly between the hero Jake Cavender and the heroine Heather Strand.
Storyline was the prodigal daughter coming back to the family hotel, believing she will become the CEO and to marry the new Financial Officer Jake. What she didn't know was that her father had already sold the business to her husband-to-be and she made quite a memorable scene jilting Jake at the altar.
But all that fire and fury was so shortlived and I thought Heather capitulated a bit too quickly, especially since it was such a big lie by ommission on Jake's part. I would have liked to see some serious grovelling from Jake but instead it was Heather who had to concede, just because she loves him. I guess this book was written in a different era when such attitudes were expected.
Nanette Savard did a reasonable job as the narrator. It's one of those books that's ok to listen to when you've got a couple of hours to spare.
Storyline was the prodigal daughter coming back to the family hotel, believing she will become the CEO and to marry the new Financial Officer Jake. What she didn't know was that her father had already sold the business to her husband-to-be and she made quite a memorable scene jilting Jake at the altar.
But all that fire and fury was so shortlived and I thought Heather capitulated a bit too quickly, especially since it was such a big lie by ommission on Jake's part. I would have liked to see some serious grovelling from Jake but instead it was Heather who had to concede, just because she loves him. I guess this book was written in a different era when such attitudes were expected.
Nanette Savard did a reasonable job as the narrator. It's one of those books that's ok to listen to when you've got a couple of hours to spare.
July 17, 2020
The actions of the heroine, Heather Strand, were difficult to follow at times as they bounced all over the place while the hero, Jake Cavendar, reacted to each as fast as possible. Sometimes the reader roots for one and then swings around to root for the other, a bit disconcerting at times. On the whole, the characters are interesting and the book very re-readable. I definitely felt both Heather's father and Jake had gone over the line in their dealings with Heather. I was just as irate as Heather and her mother when they found out what had been done. I wish she had held out longer. She seemed to cave way too soon, so I didn't feel either her father or Jake learned a lesson, which they both badly needed.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 13, 2010
I have held this book for over a week and have no desire to pick it back up. This means unfinished. All unfinished books get one star automatically. It just doesn't hold ones attention
July 17, 2020
Con este ya van tres libros, que yo recuerde, donde los personajes tienen casi las mismas características tanto físicas como de personalidad, y aunque eso no me molesta porque disfruto mucho de la escritura de esta autora, este libro me pareció en extremo similar a wildest hearts. Es casi la misma linea de todo y eso es un poco decepcionante.
February 9, 2024
A good story, well written, but I just didn't like the male MC. Even though his childhood contributed to the character he became, I didn't feel sorry for him for that. I couldn't warm up to him at all and thought Heather was duped and couldn't see what she saw in Jake.
December 6, 2025
This doesn't age well.
And I detest the male protagonist.
And I detest the male protagonist.
December 19, 2025
No es de los mejores de JAK. Los protagonistas dan mas vueltas que una calesita.
May 8, 2022
Looking back, I see why I read Ms. Krentz books so much during my ultra Feminist phase. It reinforced my view of how men are like. They call the shots and women have to give up their dreams and careers so that they can be with the man. Why is it always a win-lose proposition? Half the time, her contemporary books reminded me why males are scum and I shouldn't marry or they could destroy my life. I would be in their shadow always. This book hits all my buttons and I still enjoyed. Fortunately, for me, life did not imitate art.
September 3, 2013
Generally speaking a love books written by JAK - she has a way of weaving a beautiful, intriguing story. But in this one I wanted to smack Jack so much!!! On many occasions!!! His stubbornness, self-righteousness, arrogance, manipulativeness.... Ugh! Of course, Heather is not white and fluffy herself, but my fancies are on her side in their battle of wills.
Still, this book have many nice features I love in romance books in general and this author's in particular: interesting story, strong characters, feeling of belonging and connection to characters.
Still, this book have many nice features I love in romance books in general and this author's in particular: interesting story, strong characters, feeling of belonging and connection to characters.
February 17, 2014
I read a few reviews that said readers hated the male lead in this novel, but he didn't bother me. That may have been because the guy in the last book was so awful. I wasn't a fan of the female lead, however; she came across as an entitled brat. Overall though, I liked this story. It was another short read, so the romance moved quickly, but at least I could buy it. I also liked that there was some sort of "peril" for the characters. This is another 80s novel, and it was definitely dated, but I didn't hate it and it wasn't a painful finish.
May 1, 2012
This was an early formula romance from Krentz. I'll admit I prefer her more recent novels, but it's always fun to read a romance from the '80s. They provide a interesting look at the values and mores of a slightly different time. In this one a woman is tricked into returning home to take over the family business and marry the partner her family wants for her. It takes a few tries, but they do eventually hook up.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 30, 2015
Not a bad read, but there's just not that much there. On top of that, neither the story nor the characters really reached out to me. The H was the caveman type to badger the h over. The h was immature, headstrong, and well, the relationships with her parents felt too fake, even for a two bit romance. :|
May 18, 2024
Good book, thoroughly enjoyed
Serving reading. Enjoyed the book again just as much this time as the first time. There's a little suspense, little sex, some romance, some growing and sharing. It is definitely a book showing the changing times. Definite keeper and I'll be reading again.
Serving reading. Enjoyed the book again just as much this time as the first time. There's a little suspense, little sex, some romance, some growing and sharing. It is definitely a book showing the changing times. Definite keeper and I'll be reading again.
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September 11, 2008F Kre
February 27, 2009
Not sure I could have forgiven the guy. It was a slimy thing to do.
January 1, 2018
Good but not great
September 18, 2013
Not the best romance I've read but since its older some of the chauvinist concepts may have been standard writing. Still wasn't great.
December 7, 2016
Star Rating: ★★½☆☆
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews