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Threats and Promises
She has a new look, a new man, and a past that’s not her own. The New York Times –bestselling author delivers a chilling romantic thriller.
After her estranged brother dies, Lauren Stevenson inherits his substantial legacy, allowing her to finally fix a medical condition that’s plagued her all her life. The results of the plastic surgery are nothing less than astounding. In the mirror, Lauren sees a whole new person.
But that’s just the beginning. The shop Lauren has opened in Boston with her best friend is an instant success, and she’s even bought a farmhouse that she can’t wait to renovate. The only thing missing in her life is romance—until Matt Kruger shows up outside of her shop.
A friend of her late brother, Matt is in town on business. The rugged builder is everything Lauren has ever dreamed about, and they embark on a whirlwind romance. Only, strange things begin happening to Lauren—a garage door misses her by inches, a vicious dog appears out of nowhere, and things in the house seem to have been moved. With danger appearing around every corner, Lauren is convinced she’s being stalked.
Driven by vengeance, someone has set their sights on Lauren—or who they think she is—and they’re getting closer and closer . . .
Praise for Barbara Delinsky
“One of today’s quintessential authors of contemporary fiction . . . Delinsky is a joy to read . . . Women’s fiction at its very finest.” — Romantic Times
“[An author] of sensitivity and style.” — Publishers Weekly
“Delinsky is truly an author for all seasons.” — Rave Reviews
After her estranged brother dies, Lauren Stevenson inherits his substantial legacy, allowing her to finally fix a medical condition that’s plagued her all her life. The results of the plastic surgery are nothing less than astounding. In the mirror, Lauren sees a whole new person.
But that’s just the beginning. The shop Lauren has opened in Boston with her best friend is an instant success, and she’s even bought a farmhouse that she can’t wait to renovate. The only thing missing in her life is romance—until Matt Kruger shows up outside of her shop.
A friend of her late brother, Matt is in town on business. The rugged builder is everything Lauren has ever dreamed about, and they embark on a whirlwind romance. Only, strange things begin happening to Lauren—a garage door misses her by inches, a vicious dog appears out of nowhere, and things in the house seem to have been moved. With danger appearing around every corner, Lauren is convinced she’s being stalked.
Driven by vengeance, someone has set their sights on Lauren—or who they think she is—and they’re getting closer and closer . . .
Praise for Barbara Delinsky
“One of today’s quintessential authors of contemporary fiction . . . Delinsky is a joy to read . . . Women’s fiction at its very finest.” — Romantic Times
“[An author] of sensitivity and style.” — Publishers Weekly
“Delinsky is truly an author for all seasons.” — Rave Reviews
256 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1986
23 people are currently reading
352 people want to read
About the author
Barbara Delinsky
307 books4,356 followersI was born and raised in suburban Boston. My mother’s death, when I was eight, was the defining event of a childhood that was otherwise ordinary. I took piano lessons and flute lessons. I took ballroom dancing lessons. I went to summer camp through my fifteenth year (in Maine, which explains the setting of so many of my stories), then spent my sixteenth summer learning to type and to drive (two skills that have served me better than all of my other high school courses combined). I earned a B.A. in Psychology at Tufts University and an M.A. in Sociology at Boston College. The motivation behind the M.A. was sheer greed. My husband was just starting law school. We needed the money.
Following graduate school, I worked as a researcher with the Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children, and as a photographer and reporter for the Belmont Herald. I did the newspaper work after my first son was born. Since I was heavily into taking pictures of him, I worked for the paper to support that habit. Initially, I wrote only in a secondary capacity, to provide copy for the pictures I took. In time, I realized that I was better at writing than photography. I used both skills doing volunteer work for hospital groups, and have served on the Board of Directors of the Friends of the Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center and on the MGH’s Women’s Cancer Advisory Board.
I became an actual writer by fluke. My twins were four when, by chance, I happened on a newspaper article profiling three female writers. Intrigued, I spent three months researching, plotting, and writing my own book - and it sold.
My niche? I write about the emotional crises that we face in our lives. Readers identify with my characters. They know them. They are them. I'm an everyday woman writing about everyday people facing not-so-everyday challenges.
My novels are character-driven studies of marriage, parenthood, sibling rivalry, and friendship, and I’ve been blessed in having readers who buy them eagerly enough to put them on the major bestseller lists. One of my latest, Sweet Salt Air, came out in 2013. Blueprints, my second novel with St. Martin’s Press, became my 22nd New York Times bestselling novel soon after its release in June 2015. Making Up, my work in progress, will be published in 2018.
2018? Yikes. I didn’t think I’d live that long. I thought I’d die of breast cancer back in the 1900's, like my mom. But I didn’t. I was diagnosed nearly twenty years ago, had surgery and treatment, and here I am, stronger than ever and loving having authored yet another book, this one the non-fiction Uplift: Secrets From the Sisterhood of Breast Cancer Survivors. First published in 2001, Uplift is a handbook of practical tips and upbeat anecdotes that I compiled with the help of 350 breast cancer survivors, their families and friends. These survivors just ... blew me away! They gave me the book that I wish I’d had way back when I was diagnosed. There is no medical information here, nothing frightening, simply practical advice from friends who’ve had breast cancer. The 10th Anniversary Volume of Uplift is now in print. And the money I’ve made on the book? Every cent has gone to my charitable foundation, which funds an ongoing research fellowship at Massachusetts General Hospital.
Connect with me on Facebook: facebook.com/bdelinsky
Look for my photos on Instagram: instagram.com/barbaradelinsky
Following graduate school, I worked as a researcher with the Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children, and as a photographer and reporter for the Belmont Herald. I did the newspaper work after my first son was born. Since I was heavily into taking pictures of him, I worked for the paper to support that habit. Initially, I wrote only in a secondary capacity, to provide copy for the pictures I took. In time, I realized that I was better at writing than photography. I used both skills doing volunteer work for hospital groups, and have served on the Board of Directors of the Friends of the Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center and on the MGH’s Women’s Cancer Advisory Board.
I became an actual writer by fluke. My twins were four when, by chance, I happened on a newspaper article profiling three female writers. Intrigued, I spent three months researching, plotting, and writing my own book - and it sold.
My niche? I write about the emotional crises that we face in our lives. Readers identify with my characters. They know them. They are them. I'm an everyday woman writing about everyday people facing not-so-everyday challenges.
My novels are character-driven studies of marriage, parenthood, sibling rivalry, and friendship, and I’ve been blessed in having readers who buy them eagerly enough to put them on the major bestseller lists. One of my latest, Sweet Salt Air, came out in 2013. Blueprints, my second novel with St. Martin’s Press, became my 22nd New York Times bestselling novel soon after its release in June 2015. Making Up, my work in progress, will be published in 2018.
2018? Yikes. I didn’t think I’d live that long. I thought I’d die of breast cancer back in the 1900's, like my mom. But I didn’t. I was diagnosed nearly twenty years ago, had surgery and treatment, and here I am, stronger than ever and loving having authored yet another book, this one the non-fiction Uplift: Secrets From the Sisterhood of Breast Cancer Survivors. First published in 2001, Uplift is a handbook of practical tips and upbeat anecdotes that I compiled with the help of 350 breast cancer survivors, their families and friends. These survivors just ... blew me away! They gave me the book that I wish I’d had way back when I was diagnosed. There is no medical information here, nothing frightening, simply practical advice from friends who’ve had breast cancer. The 10th Anniversary Volume of Uplift is now in print. And the money I’ve made on the book? Every cent has gone to my charitable foundation, which funds an ongoing research fellowship at Massachusetts General Hospital.
Connect with me on Facebook: facebook.com/bdelinsky
Look for my photos on Instagram: instagram.com/barbaradelinsky
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 62 reviews
November 7, 2013
Interesting enough to listen to through the end, but nothing to write home about. Characters are a little irritating. Lauren is portrayed on one hand as being adventurous enough to set out in a new town and start a business, but she becomes naive and helpless around Matt. Speaking of which, he comes into her life under suspicious circumstances and she starts dating him and trusting him right away without really wondering why he suddenly appeared in her life. Matt doesn't want to go to the police b/c he thinks he's going to take care of this on his own. Really?! Smarten up Matt. I think the ending was too perfect and too easy for Matt and Lauren.
June 6, 2013
Not Barbara's finest effort. Usually I like her books as perfectly acceptable escapist fare, but this one was so bland and contrived that I kept checking to see how many more pages of junk I was going to be reading before the book arrived at its' obvious conclusion. Wish me (and Barbara) luck on our next books.
February 23, 2013
I hadn't read Barbara Delinski in years so when I saw this book on the library shelf, I thought I'd give it a try...ugh! This was one of the dumbest books I've read in a long time. I felt like I was reading a Harlequin Romance. I don't rememebr her writing as being so vapid.
January 9, 2016
I lost this book half-way through the reading and, to be honest, I was not that upset about it. I did find it and finished it today because I like to finish what I start. I have read others of Barbara Delinsky that I liked better. The mystery part of it just wasn't enough mystery and too easy to guess the ending, which was somewhat cheesy. The love story plot was also predictable although there was one part which had me guessing a bit. I don't think authors need to go into detail 'in the bedroom' and this book did certainly more often than was needed or necessary. Did I learn anything from this story that I will think about later? Nope!
October 25, 2013
horrible. But I had Harlequins. Should have just stopped reading when I realized. So inplausible.
one funny thing since I read this older book in 2013--no cell phone or internet. Would have been a totally different story in this day.
one funny thing since I read this older book in 2013--no cell phone or internet. Would have been a totally different story in this day.
March 7, 2013
Audio version - did not finish, only made it through disk 3. Inane conversation, stupid, needy main character.
Read
February 9, 2014I couldn't finish this. My check out from the library ended and I just could not bring myself to renew it because it was so horribly written and the storyline was "meh".
September 25, 2014
I usually like Barbara Delinsky books, however this one was just so, so. Nothing special and not one I will remember.
September 8, 2024
**MINOR SPOILERS**
I’ve read several books by this author in the past and thought I would try reading another. This book can be read as a standalone.
In this book you meet Lauren just after she has had plastic surgery that fixed a medical issue as well as improved her looks overall. She is not used to the attention that brings. Lauren’s brother, Brad, died and left her all his estate. She has used the money for the surgery, to buy a house, and to start a business with her good friend, Beth.
Matthew lives in California and was a friend of Brad. When he comes to Boston on a work trip about a year after Brad died, he looks up Lauren. He comes across as a “regular guy”. He works in construction and it was a bit surprising that he had a work trip related to it as it was implied he did not have the type of job that would require it. He is a little intimidated by Lauren’s looks when they first meet which surprises her as she is not used to that. He tells Lauren about her brother as they had not seen each other for years and did not stay in touch.
Lauren is subject to several frightening close calls (a hit and run, someone enters her house and moves things around, etc) and does not know why. It is a case of mistaken identity which you know as the reader, but for her it is a scary unknown. Spoiler…later in the book, Matt and Lauren realize that it is a possibility when she starts to receive letters addressed to someone else. They hire a private investigator.
The relationship between Matt and Lauren develops quickly and the book takes place over a couple of weeks. That fit the actions and timeline related to the stalker, but the relationship felt rushed. The resolution was a little unrealistic but possible.
The author uses some words incorrectly.
I read this book over 20 years after it was written and some changes to social mores are apparent when reading the book. Lauren wants to call the police after several episodes have happened but defers to Matt when he suggests not doing so. She also apologizes to him twice for different but understandable reasons and it felt like she was subservient to him. References to technology are also understandably dated.
The book was ok but not great.
I’ve read several books by this author in the past and thought I would try reading another. This book can be read as a standalone.
In this book you meet Lauren just after she has had plastic surgery that fixed a medical issue as well as improved her looks overall. She is not used to the attention that brings. Lauren’s brother, Brad, died and left her all his estate. She has used the money for the surgery, to buy a house, and to start a business with her good friend, Beth.
Matthew lives in California and was a friend of Brad. When he comes to Boston on a work trip about a year after Brad died, he looks up Lauren. He comes across as a “regular guy”. He works in construction and it was a bit surprising that he had a work trip related to it as it was implied he did not have the type of job that would require it. He is a little intimidated by Lauren’s looks when they first meet which surprises her as she is not used to that. He tells Lauren about her brother as they had not seen each other for years and did not stay in touch.
Lauren is subject to several frightening close calls (a hit and run, someone enters her house and moves things around, etc) and does not know why. It is a case of mistaken identity which you know as the reader, but for her it is a scary unknown. Spoiler…later in the book, Matt and Lauren realize that it is a possibility when she starts to receive letters addressed to someone else. They hire a private investigator.
The relationship between Matt and Lauren develops quickly and the book takes place over a couple of weeks. That fit the actions and timeline related to the stalker, but the relationship felt rushed. The resolution was a little unrealistic but possible.
The author uses some words incorrectly.
I read this book over 20 years after it was written and some changes to social mores are apparent when reading the book. Lauren wants to call the police after several episodes have happened but defers to Matt when he suggests not doing so. She also apologizes to him twice for different but understandable reasons and it felt like she was subservient to him. References to technology are also understandably dated.
The book was ok but not great.
November 25, 2024
I didn't really know anything about this book when I started reading it. It was a free e-book from Barnes & Noble, so I went in blind. I really ended up enjoying this simple romantic thriller. The characters were likable, and the plot was relatively simple but fun. It was an easy, quick read. The entire time, I was questioning why no one was using cell phones until I realized it was written in 1986! This actually makes the story even more enjoyable, in my opinion. Everything's just a touch more old school when it comes to sleuthing.
January 26, 2023
Lauren is mistaken for a woman who is on the run and those that are trying to find the missing woman begin to harass Lauren. This is just as Lauren is starting to begin a new and exciting phase of her life. While at the same time, she has a new love interest, but can she really trust him?
I enjoyed this novel --- it had humor and drama. But it didn't have the depth that 'Before and Again' had. An entertaining read.
I enjoyed this novel --- it had humor and drama. But it didn't have the depth that 'Before and Again' had. An entertaining read.
July 23, 2024
Should have known I'd have a problem with this book, as it was published so long ago, i.e., no internet or cell phones. In addition, this was a Harlequin romance, which explained the FMC being a 29 yo virgin, having unprotected sex after knowing MMC only a few days & falling in love with him a few days after that. Maybe in the 80's this would have been a great book, but difficult to enjoy 40 years later.
August 20, 2023
Was confused by the character of Lauren. She was confident enough to start her own business in a new town, but is absolutely vulnerable after she meets Matt.
Also the goons talk about Matt meeting with their boss and the question is never answered. Is it the same goon that Barry her brother skimmed money off
Also the goons talk about Matt meeting with their boss and the question is never answered. Is it the same goon that Barry her brother skimmed money off
October 9, 2023
This was a free book through the Barnes and Noble nook app and I honestly only read it because I was in an area without Wi-Fi and it seemed like light reading. This was absolutely silly at times, even sexist, and other times it felt like Delinsky was rushing through the plot for some reason. I would not recommend it.
January 28, 2024
It was alright. I think it could have definitely used a lot more action and conflicts. The villains weren’t as evil as I would have liked them to be. Lauren was also a little too naive at times and her relationship with Matt felt a bit fast-paced. However, the writing was well-done and the story was wrapped up well.
November 25, 2018
Read as audiobook. I'm sorry, just not my cup of tea. Very scripted and unlikely. I'm sure others enjoy this type of read but there was only enough in other for me to persevere to the end. That says more about me than anything, but ... if you like romance novels this one will do you fine.
November 3, 2023
Good Mystery
A young woman who has facial deformities undergoes facial reconstruction using money her decease brother left her. Then she opens a shop. A friend of her brother stops by the shop and they develop a relationship. Then strange things, frightening things start to happen.
A young woman who has facial deformities undergoes facial reconstruction using money her decease brother left her. Then she opens a shop. A friend of her brother stops by the shop and they develop a relationship. Then strange things, frightening things start to happen.
December 30, 2023
I read it because it came free on the Nook my boyfriend got me for Christmas. Otherwise I wouldn’t have given it a second thought, especially after the first few chapters. I was intrigued enough to see it through to the end, but in my opinion was not worth it. It just wasn’t for me.
August 3, 2025
One of the worst books I have ever read! The dialogue between characters was so awful It was hard to read. However, I have read several of Miss Delinsky‘s books there others there are others that are much better than this one.
August 15, 2018
Love her books when I want super easy, breezy read. This was absolutely awful, but in fairness, I did it as an audio book, so maybe that added to it. It was forced, fake and pure torture to finish.
Read
July 15, 2019Short and sweet romantic suspense. Very predictable but enjoyable none the less.
July 6, 2020
Fun summer listen.
March 24, 2021
One of her early books. She got better at writing as she went along. ;o)
April 19, 2021
The book is catchy but doesn't make you scream ''Wow''. Would recommend it if you're looking for a quick thriller and a love story(some sex scenes) in one.
Read
May 6, 2021This was an ok book. I'm not going to read any more of her books. she's turned into another Daniele Steele - with smut.
May 19, 2021
I thought it had enough going on to keep me interested.
August 12, 2022
Vaya enredo, fue entretenida.
October 23, 2022
3.5 stars = Harlequin Intrigue - 34
March 16, 2023
Awesome book several twists good finish
Displaying 1 - 30 of 62 reviews