Play It Again: Once More with Feeling / Dual Image

by Nora Roberts

From #1 New York Times bestselling author

NORA ROBERTS

come two classic tales about losing out on love

only to find it again.

Once More with Feeling

Musician Raven Williams was devastated when Brandon Carstairs broke her heart five years ago. Now he's back, asking for her help cowriting the score for a major film; an opportunity she can't refuse. Despite the undeniable heat between them, Raven vows to keeps things strictly professional. Once burned, twice shy. But when the sparks start flying, it's hard not to melt.

Dual Image

Playing Booth DeWitt's cruel ex-wife in his semiautobiographical film is the chance of a lifetime for actress Ariel Kirkwood. As she gets to know the sexy screenwriter, she finds herself wishing she was his real leading lady, but her accurate portrayal has left Booth conflicted over his failed marriage and new desires. Now Ariel must convince Booth to see her for the woman she is; and not the one she was hired to play.

Genres: Romance, Chick Lit

464 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 1985

About the author

Nora 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.

Reviews

[Allison Church · Rating 5 out of 5]

The combination of these two short novels together was perfectly done. while both took the setting of celebrity love, there was a distinct difference in location, plot, characterization and motivation behind each piece. the two together make one think of how different people in the same "circles" are.

[Sherry · Rating 3 out of 5]

Two novels. I liked the first one, Play It Again, better than the second, Dual Image, which I found less believable and considerably more steamy. Both are good light reads.
Play it Again deals with two musicians, song writers, who are meeting again five years after their devastating break up.
Dual Image is a young, successful soap opera star who lands the female lead in a TV movie portraying the author’s selfish, cold, ex wife. She’s open and frank, he’s built a protective wall against ever being hurt again, but they are both attracted to each other. Satisfying resolutions to both stories.

[Bonnie Staughton · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is one of Nora Roberts' compilation of 2 books in one. One is the story of a musician who has to work with her ex-beau to cowrite the score of a major film and the other is the story of an actress who gets the "part of a lifetime" and falls in love with the screenwriter. Both stories have their good parts though I believe I liked "Dual Image" just a bit better than "Play it Again".

Fast, easy and enjoyable read.

[Sharon · Rating 3 out of 5]

I don't regard romance novels as bastions of feminine power, but "Once More with Feeling" had some twinges of rape culture that were decidedly uncomfortable to read.

[Kelli · Rating 5 out of 5]

The two books within this book may be my favorite Nora Roberts stories thus far. I loved both of the stories so much. Dual Image was one that once I started it I could not put it down!

[Gayle · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's a good book for the beach. 2 romance novels in one. Think Harlequin romance with a little spice.

[Rebecca Dean · Rating 3 out of 5]

Only 3 stars because I had read these books before, but under a different cover, separately, when they first came out, back in 1983 and 1985, so disappointing. My fault, for not paying more attention.

I liked both books, but compared to what Nora writes now, they are really simple.

[Joann · Rating 4 out of 5]

Predictable but still a good story.

[Bette McNicholas · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was a good book, two stories, a nice pleasant summer read.

[Jami Dutcher · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a book with 2 stories in it. They are both older titles by Nora Roberts. They are the more classic loveswept type of romance. Both stories were great.