Used-To-Be Lovers

by Linda Lael Miller

Sharon Harrison and Tony Morelli were never able to control the powerful chemistry between them. It led first to heart-stopping passion, then to marriage and children. They thought they had it all, but under pressure their happy home became an explosive battleground.

Even divorce, however, can't completely separate them. Spending alternate days in their home with their children, they have an unorthodox arrangement that keeps them in close contact. And keeps the desire alive….

Genres: Romance, Contemporary Romance, Contemporary

256 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 1988

About the author

The daughter of a town marshal, Linda Lael Miller is a #1 New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling author of more than 100 historical and contemporary novels, most of which reflect her love of the West. Raised in Northport, Washington, Linda pursued her wanderlust, living in London and Arizona and traveling the world before returning to the state of her birth to settle down on a spacious property outside Spokane.
Linda traces the birth of her writing career to the day when a Northport teacher told her that the stories she was writing were good, that she just might have a future in writing. Later, when she decided to write novels, she endured her share of rejection before she sold Fletcher’s Woman in 1983 to Pocket Books. Since then, Linda has successfully published historicals, contemporaries, paranormals, mysteries and thrillers before coming home, in a literal sense, and concentrating on novels with a Western flavor. For her devotion to her craft, the Romance Writers of America awarded her their prestigious Nora Roberts Lifetime Achievement Award in 2007.
Long a passionate Civil War buff, Linda has studied the era avidly for almost thirty years. She has read literally hundreds of books on the subject, explored numerous battlegrounds and made many visits to her favorite, Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, where she has witnessed re-enactments of the legendary clash between North and South. Linda explores that turbulent time in The Yankee Widow, a May 7, 2019 MIRA Books hardcover, also available in digital and audiobook formats.
Dedicated to helping others, “The First Lady of the West” personally financed fifteen years of her Linda Lael Miller Scholarships for Women, which she awarded to women 25 years and older who were seeking to improve their lot in life through education. She anticipates that her next charitable endeavors will benefit four-legged critters.
More information about Linda and her novels is available at www.lindalaelmiller.com, on Facebook and from Nancy Berland Public Relations, nancy@nancyberland.com, 405-206-4748.

Reviews

[Andrea Lujano · Rating 4 out of 5]

Protagonistas: Tony & Sharon

Profesiones: Constructor & Empresaria

Pais: USA

[rivka · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 stars

While I recognize that this book was published over 20 years ago, and what was expected of the average romance novel was rather different than now (especially in terms of length and depth), I was disappointed by this one -- primarily because I think it had the potential to be much better. And it did really deal with some of the issues that had caused their divorce, like his family and hers and the relationships each had with both.

But why was Sharon adopting Briana never even MENTIONED as a possibility? She was her mom for 10 years, the only mother she ever knew, so why hadn't adoption been at least discussed before the divorce? And given that they acknowledged that they had lousy fighting skills, why was a therapist never even considered as an option?

I know, I know, it was 1988.

[Ballerina60 · Rating 2 out of 5]

it was ok. llm's older works just don't seem to cut it for me. no condom, so when she threw up, i thought for sure she was pregnant. someone should have explained to Bri that a "bastard" is BORN out of wedlock, not CONCEIVED out of wedlock. and why, during 10 years of marriage, did Sharon not adopt Bri????? what were the problems that caused the divorce? WHY did Tony "hate" Sharon's business?? you really shouldn't need a babysitter for a 13 yr old for short periods of time. the 13 yr old should be able to baby-sit the 7 yr old for short periods of time. really, we have very little idea of what broke up the marriage in the first place. and we have very little idea what made Sharon and Tony decide that could make it work after all.

[Teri-K · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was a very short book about a couple who have just divorced but still love each other. It was OK, but other than agreeing to try and fight more fairly they didn't actually resolve their issues before they got remarried. Honestly it would have been better as a full-length novel. It felt like they just got to where they recognized some of their problems and then BAM it was over. 1.5 stars

[L.M. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cozy in a 1980’s escapist Punky Brewster kind of way. A touch of 80’s man brute but not completely outrageous. A lot of other reviewers were worried about why they got divorced in the first place and why Sharon didn’t adopt Bri but this was a Harlequin-style romance published 35 years ago. This is what you got back then, it’s not a 2018 500 page beach read that delves into every feeling and every detail. With the right expectations, this makes for a quick, fun read (or listen, it got me through mowing the yard quite nicely).

[Diane Hermann · Rating 2 out of 5]

After finishing the book, I couldn't understand why these two got divorced in the first place. They still loved each other. Seemed wife just sprung it on her husband in a fit of pique. Maybe if they had sat down & actually communicated (like they did at end of book), they could have spared themselves - & their kids - a lot of hurt. Did not enjoy this one.

[Christina Sinisi · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was a quandary. I've rarely been so frustrated with the characters--why not get counseling? Why not stay in a room and talk? At the same time, I kept on reading, even past my bedtime on a work night so that says something...

[Eva Edge · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a bittersweet story. I know it's not easy to in that kind of relationship as it's hard to make up your mind, nothing is easy and everything feels so complicated but in reality all we need is a dam good conversation!

[Peggy Moore · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book as I do all her books A short sweet love story.

[Angela]

5

[Prix Veniegas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Re-read! And still 5 stars!

[Tina Billings · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just couldn't stop once I started. Their drama was addictive.

[Jean Katchmar · Rating 3 out of 5]

Tony and Sharon Morelli were married and now divorced. They had 2 children who wished they would get back together. With some effort and some honesty they look for that HEA.

[Pam · Rating 4 out of 5]

Contemporary romance.

[shms · Rating 3 out of 5]

I would have given it a 4 but I felt that the circumstances under which they got divorced weren't explored enought to get a good understanding of how the reconcilation kicked off and some plot holes.

After all why did it take several months after the divorce for the H to suddenly start seducing the h. The h actually raises that question. One of the main issues leading to the divorce appeared to be that the H hated the h starting her one business. Yet at the end, this was just glossed over, and the ending just felt rushed. But then that's usual in most series romances.

The fact that they hadn't really communicated about the issues around the first wife initially came across as ridiculous, given the 10 years the h and H have been married. But at the end it didn't seem so silly..it was quite a nice twist.

Finally my enjoyment of the book was marred by the fact that as a UK reader I had to pay so much more for the ebook, almost double that of some US sites. Which of course were region restricted. Just another demonstration of 'Rip Off Britian' as we say over here.

[Jeanne (love2cook) · Rating 4 out of 5]

A nice little love story. Sharon and Tony had a whirlwind courtship ending in a quick marriage. Under pressure of their powerful chemistry their happy home became a battlefield. Even after their divorce, their love for each other was strong. They just couldn't seem to get along. Because of the arrangement of the court order, they were in close contact and that was either a curse or a blessing.

[Joan Mondragon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just finished reading a 4 book series so now I'm thinking I'll read a short - not in a series - book by an author I really enjoy.

I really enjoyed this book. It was short and sweet, only 188 pages. Gonna read another book by this author.

[Dawn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sensual romance story. Pretty good read from what I remember, but I prefer Linda Lael Miller's Western Romances.

[Char · Rating 4 out of 5]

Four and 1/2 stars

[Amanda Enoch · Rating 5 out of 5]

I Truly Love This Book! Linda Lael Miller Never Disappoints!

[Chio · Rating 2 out of 5]

me pareció un poco aburrido :#

[Lesley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read this book from start to finish in one day! The story was very good, and I loved the characters! Very light, and easy to read.

[Ana Paola · Rating 2 out of 5]

Para mi falto desarrollar la trama, contextualizar la situación, recien inicia esto faltando 20 páginas para terminar.

[Janice · Rating 5 out of 5]

All of Mrs. Miller's books are a GREAT read!! Always worth read over again!

[Bookabulary · Rating 2 out of 5]

Uhmm. The fact that I had to do a quick skim before I can remember what this book was all about should suffice as a review, right? Right?

[Deborah Morgan · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good little book for married women to read to remind us all of the importance of communication. Done with humor and romance.

[LouAnn Summers · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good but too predictable.

[Bobi Boon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ending could have been a little more exciting

[karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

The lack of communication and trust issue is getting old. Talk to each other people.