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Woman Hater
Woman Hater by Diana Palmer MOUNTAIN MAN Everyone in the office described the boss's mysterious older brother as a real woman hater -- an absolute bear of a man. So, when Nicole White had to travel with her ailing employer to his brother's home in Montana, she was prepared for the worst. What she found was a man more roughly masculine than any she'd ever met. But Winthrop Christopher had been hurt in the past, and his distrust of women was as solid as the Montana mountains. Nicki knew she should avoid him, but she believed that even mountains could be moved by love....
192 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published October 1, 1987
148 people are currently reading
591 people want to read
About the author
Diana Palmer
1,038 books3,097 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name.
Diana Palmer is a pseudonym for author Susan Kyle.
(1)romance author
Susan Eloise Spaeth was born on 11 December 1946 in Cuthbert, Georgia, USA. She was the eldest daughter of Maggie Eloise Cliatt, a nurse and also journalist, and William Olin Spaeth, a college professor. Her mother was part of the women's liberation movement many years before it became fashionable. Her best friends are her mother and her sister, Dannis Spaeth (Cole), who now has two daughters, Amanda Belle Hofstetter and Maggie and lives in Utah. Susan grew up reading Zane Grey and fell in love with cowboys. Susan is a former newspaper reporter, with sixteen years experience on both daily and weekly newspapers. Since 1972, she has been married to James Kyle and have since settled down in Cornelia, Georgia, where she started to write romance novels. Susan and her husband have one son, Blayne Edward, born in 1980.
She began selling romances in 1979 as Diana Palmer. She also used the pseudonyms Diana Blayne and Katy Currie, and her married name: Susan Kyle. Now, she has over 40 million copies of her books in print, which have been translated and published around the world. She is listed in numerous publications, including Contemporary Authors by Gale Research, Inc., Twentieth Century Romance and Historical Writers by St. James Press, The Writers Directory by St. James Press, the International Who's Who of Authors and Writers by Meirose Press, Ltd., and Love's Leading Ladies by Kathryn Falk. Her awards include seven Waldenbooks national sales awards, four B. Dalton national sales awards, two Bookrak national sales awards, a Lifetime Achievement Award for series storytelling from Romantic Times, several Affaire de Coeur awards, and two regional RWA awards.
Inspired by her husband, who quit a blue-collar manufacturing job to return to school and get his diploma in computer programming, Susan herself went back to college as a day student at the age of 45. In 1995, she graduated summa cum laude from Piedmont College, Demorest, GA, with a major in history and a double minor in archaeology and Spanish. She was named to two honor societies (the Torch Club and Alpha Chi), and was named to the National Dean's List. In addition to her writing projects, she is currently working on her master's degree in history at California State University. She hopes to specialize in Native American studies. She is a member of the Native American Rights Fund, the American Museum of Natural History, the National Cattlemen's Association, the Archaeological Institute of Amenca, the Planetary Society, The Georgia Conservancy, the Georgia Sheriff's Association, and numerous conservation and charitable organizations. Her hobbies include gardening, archaeology, anthropology, iguanas, astronomy and music.
In 1998, her husband retired from his own computer business and now pursues skeet shooting medals in local, state, national and international competition. They love riding around and looking at the countryside, watching sci-fi on TV and at the movies, just talking and eating out.
Diana Palmer is a pseudonym for author Susan Kyle.
(1)romance author
Susan Eloise Spaeth was born on 11 December 1946 in Cuthbert, Georgia, USA. She was the eldest daughter of Maggie Eloise Cliatt, a nurse and also journalist, and William Olin Spaeth, a college professor. Her mother was part of the women's liberation movement many years before it became fashionable. Her best friends are her mother and her sister, Dannis Spaeth (Cole), who now has two daughters, Amanda Belle Hofstetter and Maggie and lives in Utah. Susan grew up reading Zane Grey and fell in love with cowboys. Susan is a former newspaper reporter, with sixteen years experience on both daily and weekly newspapers. Since 1972, she has been married to James Kyle and have since settled down in Cornelia, Georgia, where she started to write romance novels. Susan and her husband have one son, Blayne Edward, born in 1980.
She began selling romances in 1979 as Diana Palmer. She also used the pseudonyms Diana Blayne and Katy Currie, and her married name: Susan Kyle. Now, she has over 40 million copies of her books in print, which have been translated and published around the world. She is listed in numerous publications, including Contemporary Authors by Gale Research, Inc., Twentieth Century Romance and Historical Writers by St. James Press, The Writers Directory by St. James Press, the International Who's Who of Authors and Writers by Meirose Press, Ltd., and Love's Leading Ladies by Kathryn Falk. Her awards include seven Waldenbooks national sales awards, four B. Dalton national sales awards, two Bookrak national sales awards, a Lifetime Achievement Award for series storytelling from Romantic Times, several Affaire de Coeur awards, and two regional RWA awards.
Inspired by her husband, who quit a blue-collar manufacturing job to return to school and get his diploma in computer programming, Susan herself went back to college as a day student at the age of 45. In 1995, she graduated summa cum laude from Piedmont College, Demorest, GA, with a major in history and a double minor in archaeology and Spanish. She was named to two honor societies (the Torch Club and Alpha Chi), and was named to the National Dean's List. In addition to her writing projects, she is currently working on her master's degree in history at California State University. She hopes to specialize in Native American studies. She is a member of the Native American Rights Fund, the American Museum of Natural History, the National Cattlemen's Association, the Archaeological Institute of Amenca, the Planetary Society, The Georgia Conservancy, the Georgia Sheriff's Association, and numerous conservation and charitable organizations. Her hobbies include gardening, archaeology, anthropology, iguanas, astronomy and music.
In 1998, her husband retired from his own computer business and now pursues skeet shooting medals in local, state, national and international competition. They love riding around and looking at the countryside, watching sci-fi on TV and at the movies, just talking and eating out.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 77 reviews
December 17, 2009
Reading this book this week turned out to be a serendipitous thing. I needed a book like this in my life right now. I'm kind of homesick, overworked, stressed, and tired. And a great book really helps to lighten my load. There are things about this book that I loved that I could go hoarse trying to explain to someone who doesn't 'get' why people enjoy Diana Palmer's writing.
Every writer has a formula. Find me one who doesn't if you want to dispute this statement. Sometimes the formula is disguised as anti-formula, but it's still there, all right. I think some authors get lambasted much more than others for their formula. Heck, I've been reading Diana Palmer for about 20 years, maybe more. I will freely admit that she does have a formula. And my retort to a mean-spirited anti-Diana Palmer reader is, "If it ain't broke, don't fix it." Why do I say that? Because she can write a book that can make me laugh, stir my emotions, turn on the heat, without being overly descriptive, blatantly sexual, or outside of pretty much any reader's sexual comfort zone, and make me cry or feel like I might cry, and I end the book happy that the couple found their happy ending together. Do I love all the elements in her books? No. But I can't say there is a writer in my list of favorites where I can say that I don't dislike some aspect of what they have included in a story. That's including my absolute faves (including Diana Palmer): Anne Stuart, Kresley Cole, JR Ward, Christina Dodd, Nalini Singh, Lisa Kleypas, Laura Kinsale, Sherrilyn Kenyon/Kinley MacGregor, Simon R. Green, Jim Butcher, Manly Wade Wellman, and many more.
If I were to weigh the things I don't like about Diana Palmer's writing against what I love, she'd still and does make my list.
What I don't love/like:
--excessively hairy men
--cigarette-smoking men
--minimum of ten year age difference between hero and heroine
--tendency for hero to be verbally abusive (but I can see why most of them are that way. She writes very tortured heroes who have a history of being betrayed by a woman in some way. The most verbally abusive ones had a bad experience with a mother, and that can really mess a person up. She does the 'I am mean because I don't want to be in love' hero very well, in my opinion. There are a couple that I felt were worthy of being brained to death with my titanium shovel that I keep handy for jerky heroes, but most of them, I can end the book feeling like they've made up for their bad behaviors.)
What I do love about her writing:
--she can make laugh like crazy. She is such a funny writer. I love to laugh. You do the math.
--she has wholesome characters (and is not afraid for them to have old-fashioned morals)
--she tries to introduce information about different cultures (and peoples of different cultures) into her stories (although I wish she would have some Black characters move to Jacobsville).
--she writes extremely poignant, emotional stories with characters I feel for and care about
--even though her heroes can be mean at times, they do repent and show their remorse and go on to be very loving and caring to their heroines, and they are not physically abusive or sexually cruel
--personally, her gentle heroines (often disparagingly called doormats) don't bother me. I like them. Some are more tolerant than others, but she has some pretty smart alecky heroines who can give tit for tat, and score some verbal darts to keep them neck for neck with the hero. Her heroines are usually very kind, and are often very tormented. I love a tortured hero (a lot), but I also appreciate a tormented heroine. I like to see her get the happiness she deserves at the end of the story. I like her heroines. They are really good women who don't always get the best shots in their life. They make lemonade out of lemons, and that's to be admired.
--she's not afraid to write a virginal, less-experienced, or celibate hero, or a hero who might have a sexual dysfunction, for that matter.
--personally I think she has tried to do different things with her writing. Yeah, the rare Diana Palmer hater out there who reads this review might disagree with that, but how many Diana Palmer books have you read to dispute this? I've lost count of how many of her books I've read.
Argh!! Why do I always have to go into Diana Palmer defense mode? I love her, and that's good enough for me. I think it's because I think she's a dear, sweet lady, and I just want to hug her. Her books have brought so much joy into my life for more than half of my time on this earth. Even when I cast my most critical eye on her books, I still love what she does, because she's such a good storyteller. It says something when an author can have similar storylines, but still engage a reader's interest and enjoyment. I can't say I love all her stories to the same degree (only one story got a C rating from me by this author), but I always enjoy reading them, and the time spent on them. And they stay on my keeper shelf.
Well, Woman Hater is an older book that somehow got past my Diana Palmer radar. Thank you, HMS, for bringing this one to my attention. I was lucky enough to find it on Amazon used for a decent price, and I bought it. I'm so glad I did. This story does have a hero who has a grudge against women. Yet surprisingly, although he blew hot and cold, he wasn't cruel to Nicole. At the most, he kept her at a safe distance, until his passion seemed to get out of control (which happened frequently). You could tell that he genuinely liked and respected her from the beginning. He was very sweet to her, and really wooed her very gently and showed her the adoration a hero should show to his heroine. When she needed him, he was there for her.
I enjoyed hearing about life on the ranch in Montana, the interactions between Winthrop and Nicole (great chemistry from the beginning), and the secondary characters. I wanted to be in Montana in the fall, during a bad blizzard, stuck in the ranch house with Winthrop, Nicole, his brother Gerald, and various other cast and characters. I was sitting at the car dealership this morning, laughing out loud, and not minding the long wait for my car. In fact, I was happy to wait because I had some actual reading time for this book. I admire how Ms. Palmer can write romances that are very genteel in their love scenes, but very sensuous at the same time. I don't know how she does it, but I do find her love scenes stirring (did I say that out loud?)
Nicole has some very troubling issues with her family. I felt really bad for her because of what happened with her mother and father. I had to give her props for walking away from what she did, gaining her independence, and her own life, and sticking to what was right. I don't know how you can call a woman who could do what she did a doormat or weak. I certainly don't. I liked how she came to terms with her father, who had a 'Peter Pan' syndrome like you wouldn't believe. She had to open her mind and heart to seeing that he wasn't the villain that she always thought he was.
I liked Winthrop. I think he was flawed in a very human, relatable manner. Like him, when I am hurt by people, I tend to withdraw into myself. I am not one to put myself out there to get hurt again and again, so I don't blame him for keeping women at a distance, when his love turned her back on him because of a potentially crippling injury. That would really destroy a person's pride and ability to trust. He saw Nicole working for his brother, and part of him fell in love with her then and there, although he couldn't admit it to himself. She never left his mind, and he was afraid to love her. But for all that, he did what needed to be done, and showed his love in a way that brought tears to my eyes.
Ah, this sap loves the romance of that kind of story. I had to give this to be a five star read because it was really enjoyable. I laughed, almost cried, felt for the characters, and I was so interested, I didn't want to put it down. If you can find this one, definitely give it a read. If you haven't read Diana Palmer, but you've heard really ugly things about her, don't let that dissuade you if you want to give her a try for yourself. No, she might not be everyone's cup of tea. And that's okay. However, I assert that Ms. Palmer has earned her fans' loyalty in her many years of writing. I'll speak for myself. She's definitely a woman who has my steadfast loyalty.
Every writer has a formula. Find me one who doesn't if you want to dispute this statement. Sometimes the formula is disguised as anti-formula, but it's still there, all right. I think some authors get lambasted much more than others for their formula. Heck, I've been reading Diana Palmer for about 20 years, maybe more. I will freely admit that she does have a formula. And my retort to a mean-spirited anti-Diana Palmer reader is, "If it ain't broke, don't fix it." Why do I say that? Because she can write a book that can make me laugh, stir my emotions, turn on the heat, without being overly descriptive, blatantly sexual, or outside of pretty much any reader's sexual comfort zone, and make me cry or feel like I might cry, and I end the book happy that the couple found their happy ending together. Do I love all the elements in her books? No. But I can't say there is a writer in my list of favorites where I can say that I don't dislike some aspect of what they have included in a story. That's including my absolute faves (including Diana Palmer): Anne Stuart, Kresley Cole, JR Ward, Christina Dodd, Nalini Singh, Lisa Kleypas, Laura Kinsale, Sherrilyn Kenyon/Kinley MacGregor, Simon R. Green, Jim Butcher, Manly Wade Wellman, and many more.
If I were to weigh the things I don't like about Diana Palmer's writing against what I love, she'd still and does make my list.
What I don't love/like:
--excessively hairy men
--cigarette-smoking men
--minimum of ten year age difference between hero and heroine
--tendency for hero to be verbally abusive (but I can see why most of them are that way. She writes very tortured heroes who have a history of being betrayed by a woman in some way. The most verbally abusive ones had a bad experience with a mother, and that can really mess a person up. She does the 'I am mean because I don't want to be in love' hero very well, in my opinion. There are a couple that I felt were worthy of being brained to death with my titanium shovel that I keep handy for jerky heroes, but most of them, I can end the book feeling like they've made up for their bad behaviors.)
What I do love about her writing:
--she can make laugh like crazy. She is such a funny writer. I love to laugh. You do the math.
--she has wholesome characters (and is not afraid for them to have old-fashioned morals)
--she tries to introduce information about different cultures (and peoples of different cultures) into her stories (although I wish she would have some Black characters move to Jacobsville).
--she writes extremely poignant, emotional stories with characters I feel for and care about
--even though her heroes can be mean at times, they do repent and show their remorse and go on to be very loving and caring to their heroines, and they are not physically abusive or sexually cruel
--personally, her gentle heroines (often disparagingly called doormats) don't bother me. I like them. Some are more tolerant than others, but she has some pretty smart alecky heroines who can give tit for tat, and score some verbal darts to keep them neck for neck with the hero. Her heroines are usually very kind, and are often very tormented. I love a tortured hero (a lot), but I also appreciate a tormented heroine. I like to see her get the happiness she deserves at the end of the story. I like her heroines. They are really good women who don't always get the best shots in their life. They make lemonade out of lemons, and that's to be admired.
--she's not afraid to write a virginal, less-experienced, or celibate hero, or a hero who might have a sexual dysfunction, for that matter.
--personally I think she has tried to do different things with her writing. Yeah, the rare Diana Palmer hater out there who reads this review might disagree with that, but how many Diana Palmer books have you read to dispute this? I've lost count of how many of her books I've read.
Argh!! Why do I always have to go into Diana Palmer defense mode? I love her, and that's good enough for me. I think it's because I think she's a dear, sweet lady, and I just want to hug her. Her books have brought so much joy into my life for more than half of my time on this earth. Even when I cast my most critical eye on her books, I still love what she does, because she's such a good storyteller. It says something when an author can have similar storylines, but still engage a reader's interest and enjoyment. I can't say I love all her stories to the same degree (only one story got a C rating from me by this author), but I always enjoy reading them, and the time spent on them. And they stay on my keeper shelf.
Well, Woman Hater is an older book that somehow got past my Diana Palmer radar. Thank you, HMS, for bringing this one to my attention. I was lucky enough to find it on Amazon used for a decent price, and I bought it. I'm so glad I did. This story does have a hero who has a grudge against women. Yet surprisingly, although he blew hot and cold, he wasn't cruel to Nicole. At the most, he kept her at a safe distance, until his passion seemed to get out of control (which happened frequently). You could tell that he genuinely liked and respected her from the beginning. He was very sweet to her, and really wooed her very gently and showed her the adoration a hero should show to his heroine. When she needed him, he was there for her.
I enjoyed hearing about life on the ranch in Montana, the interactions between Winthrop and Nicole (great chemistry from the beginning), and the secondary characters. I wanted to be in Montana in the fall, during a bad blizzard, stuck in the ranch house with Winthrop, Nicole, his brother Gerald, and various other cast and characters. I was sitting at the car dealership this morning, laughing out loud, and not minding the long wait for my car. In fact, I was happy to wait because I had some actual reading time for this book. I admire how Ms. Palmer can write romances that are very genteel in their love scenes, but very sensuous at the same time. I don't know how she does it, but I do find her love scenes stirring (did I say that out loud?)
Nicole has some very troubling issues with her family. I felt really bad for her because of what happened with her mother and father. I had to give her props for walking away from what she did, gaining her independence, and her own life, and sticking to what was right. I don't know how you can call a woman who could do what she did a doormat or weak. I certainly don't. I liked how she came to terms with her father, who had a 'Peter Pan' syndrome like you wouldn't believe. She had to open her mind and heart to seeing that he wasn't the villain that she always thought he was.
I liked Winthrop. I think he was flawed in a very human, relatable manner. Like him, when I am hurt by people, I tend to withdraw into myself. I am not one to put myself out there to get hurt again and again, so I don't blame him for keeping women at a distance, when his love turned her back on him because of a potentially crippling injury. That would really destroy a person's pride and ability to trust. He saw Nicole working for his brother, and part of him fell in love with her then and there, although he couldn't admit it to himself. She never left his mind, and he was afraid to love her. But for all that, he did what needed to be done, and showed his love in a way that brought tears to my eyes.
Ah, this sap loves the romance of that kind of story. I had to give this to be a five star read because it was really enjoyable. I laughed, almost cried, felt for the characters, and I was so interested, I didn't want to put it down. If you can find this one, definitely give it a read. If you haven't read Diana Palmer, but you've heard really ugly things about her, don't let that dissuade you if you want to give her a try for yourself. No, she might not be everyone's cup of tea. And that's okay. However, I assert that Ms. Palmer has earned her fans' loyalty in her many years of writing. I'll speak for myself. She's definitely a woman who has my steadfast loyalty.
July 26, 2013
Wow!,just Wow!This is the Diana Palmer that her long time fans know and love.
This book held my attention from beginning to the very last page.I had a smile upon my face when I finished reading this little gem.
The H/h were the perfect foil for each other.I loved how they played off of each other with the heroine standing firm and giving as good as the H dished out to her.The sexual tension was simply sizzling between these two .
This is Diana Palmer at her very best.
This book held my attention from beginning to the very last page.I had a smile upon my face when I finished reading this little gem.
The H/h were the perfect foil for each other.I loved how they played off of each other with the heroine standing firm and giving as good as the H dished out to her.The sexual tension was simply sizzling between these two .
This is Diana Palmer at her very best.
June 23, 2016
A rich girl in disguise! That's how it is when a working girl goes up a mountain to help out her boss and is confronted with a real woman hater. He is attracted to her but other then treat her like crap and kissing and groping the hell out her while of course saying he wants nothing to do with her. He was an ass and or course she forgave him after the big misunderstanding. It was a classic DP read with the virgin heroine who is not too pretty (god I wish more then a couple of them would be beautiful after all this is fantasy) and the guy is a cowboy done wrong with a chip on his shoulder the size of a Ram truck!!! Still I loved it. Great story and oh the passion! Yummy
December 22, 2015
Fantastic Christmas romance!
August 21, 2019
A great Palmer read. Alpha hero who wouldn't acknowledge his feelings but would keep demanding kisses and physical intimacy. A sweet virgin heroine who fell in love at first sight, can't control her body when hero puts on the moves and who is determined to love hero with an her being. The quintessential tug and pull relationship they got going, interspersed with H dazzling h with his bronzed hairy chest. ,🤩🤩🤩
I wasn't a fan of the small age difference between h and H. I prefer my Palmer heroes quite older with all the hardness of life in their features and heroines to be younger, with an endless capacity to give her love and self till H acknowledges his feelings.
I was glad to see heroine's father find love with his latest young girlfriend. Both h and her father's gf got along great and it was an interesting thing to read. I can imagine a nice epilogue a year later, with both couples celebrating Christmas with either their newborn babies or a swollen bellies.
I wasn't a fan of the small age difference between h and H. I prefer my Palmer heroes quite older with all the hardness of life in their features and heroines to be younger, with an endless capacity to give her love and self till H acknowledges his feelings.
I was glad to see heroine's father find love with his latest young girlfriend. Both h and her father's gf got along great and it was an interesting thing to read. I can imagine a nice epilogue a year later, with both couples celebrating Christmas with either their newborn babies or a swollen bellies.
December 14, 2020
This had a lot of potential but her relationship with her father creeped me out. This does not past the test of time.
June 4, 2018
Originally published in 1987. I was not surprised to find a lot of tropes common in an 80s romance. The story was a bit outdated and the H was a really big jerk who treated our super sweet h like garbage. There was a lot of push and pull, I love you-I hate you and it got old. And it annoys me that the H has a victim mentality and takes no responsibility for choosing to date a vapid, shallow, horrible woman. And then he's the innocent victim when it all goes wrong and all women are monsters. His way of thinking was very unattractive. I was glad that the h had enough guts to leave the H and make him pursue her if he really wanted her. Even though the book isn't perfect, I enjoyed it in a nostalgic kind of way and give it 3 stars.
February 15, 2022
Woman Hater (what a title!) by Diana Palmer is a 1987 Silhouette Romance that is typical of the author’s style. The heroine is young, virginal, and escaping from a tragic past. The hero is a macho, Alpha male who was also burned by the past. He is an unabashed “woman-hater.”
Nicole White is a secretary at a prominent Chicago firm. She comes from a well-heeled family from Kentucky, blue-bloods to the core, plus cold and unloving. Her parents’ marriage was unhappy. Her father was a serial adulterer. When Nicole decided to cut contact with her family, her fiance dumped her. Then he got engaged to another prominent heiress, breaking Nicole’s heart in the process.
Distraught, Nicole has now moved to the big city to start over. Currently, her boss is suffering from an ulcer. The doctor recommends relaxation for a month. As he still has business matters to attend to, he requires the services of his secretary. So Nicole accompanies her boss to his family ranch in Montana.
There she meets Winthrop Christopher, her boss brother. Winthrop is a hairy-chested, cigarette smoking cowboy stud who makes the virginal Nicole quiver with desire.
Years ago, Winthrop was in a car accident and almost lost his leg. His beautiful girlfriend summarily dumped him rather than deal with a disabled partner. Embittered by the past, Winthrop makes no bones about being a “woman-hater.”
Regardless, he can’t deny his attraction to the sweet Nicole. He pursues her even as he spurns her.
Winthrop doesn’t trust women, and he knows Nicole has secrets. Her great sin? She denies her wealthy roots and lies to Winthrop when he asks her if she’s related to the wealthy Whites of Lexington. Winthrop and Nicole are drawn inexorably together, but when Winthrop discovers Nicole’s “treachery,” he dismisses her as having no honor, like all other women.
Will Winthrop realize that women–Nicole in particular–aren’t to be despised?
Woman Hater was my second foray into the world of Diana Palmer. I appreciated this one more than the other Palmer I read, Nelson's Brand. The heroes in both books were manly caricatures who thought they ruled the roost. They kept their heroines at arm’s length, even as they lusted after them. Winthrop wasn’t as emo as Gene Nelson. I can’t stand a whiny hero. Although Winthrop had his dark moments, overall, an allure about him made him intriguing.
Nicole’s issues with her family come to a head, and she deals with her insecurities. Of course, love wins out in the end. Together Winthrop and Nicole are healed through its power.
I wouldn’t consider Woman Hater exceptional, although it was a solid read. The emotional connection between the main characters was a nice touch. I can see why Palmer has millions of fans, using a tried and true formula that sells. 3.33 stars
Nicole White is a secretary at a prominent Chicago firm. She comes from a well-heeled family from Kentucky, blue-bloods to the core, plus cold and unloving. Her parents’ marriage was unhappy. Her father was a serial adulterer. When Nicole decided to cut contact with her family, her fiance dumped her. Then he got engaged to another prominent heiress, breaking Nicole’s heart in the process.
Distraught, Nicole has now moved to the big city to start over. Currently, her boss is suffering from an ulcer. The doctor recommends relaxation for a month. As he still has business matters to attend to, he requires the services of his secretary. So Nicole accompanies her boss to his family ranch in Montana.
There she meets Winthrop Christopher, her boss brother. Winthrop is a hairy-chested, cigarette smoking cowboy stud who makes the virginal Nicole quiver with desire.
Years ago, Winthrop was in a car accident and almost lost his leg. His beautiful girlfriend summarily dumped him rather than deal with a disabled partner. Embittered by the past, Winthrop makes no bones about being a “woman-hater.”
Regardless, he can’t deny his attraction to the sweet Nicole. He pursues her even as he spurns her.
Winthrop doesn’t trust women, and he knows Nicole has secrets. Her great sin? She denies her wealthy roots and lies to Winthrop when he asks her if she’s related to the wealthy Whites of Lexington. Winthrop and Nicole are drawn inexorably together, but when Winthrop discovers Nicole’s “treachery,” he dismisses her as having no honor, like all other women.
Will Winthrop realize that women–Nicole in particular–aren’t to be despised?
Woman Hater was my second foray into the world of Diana Palmer. I appreciated this one more than the other Palmer I read, Nelson's Brand. The heroes in both books were manly caricatures who thought they ruled the roost. They kept their heroines at arm’s length, even as they lusted after them. Winthrop wasn’t as emo as Gene Nelson. I can’t stand a whiny hero. Although Winthrop had his dark moments, overall, an allure about him made him intriguing.
Nicole’s issues with her family come to a head, and she deals with her insecurities. Of course, love wins out in the end. Together Winthrop and Nicole are healed through its power.
I wouldn’t consider Woman Hater exceptional, although it was a solid read. The emotional connection between the main characters was a nice touch. I can see why Palmer has millions of fans, using a tried and true formula that sells. 3.33 stars
April 9, 2018
Well that was surprisingly enjoyable, lol.
I was expecting the usual DP angst fest, with evil OW. Instead this is one of the handful I've read where the MCs communicate (well, more often than not).
Nicky used to be rich, and pampered and so very unhappy. Then, 3 years ago, she left her family at 19 and became an executive's assistant. (There is a secondary romance between her boss and an old flame). Now her boss has dragged her back to his childhood ranch which is run by his grouchy older brother, Winthrop.
The long careful dance between Nicky and Winthrop begins. He hates women, he doesn't want to marry, ...he duth protest too much. Especially as he has a hard time keeping his hands off her.
They are both wounded by life, but Nicky seems to be the more resilient of the two. I must confess I really didn't see why Winthrop was such a hard ass after the gold digging socialite; Deanna dumped him. It was kinda OTT, considering his parents were loving and he was good friends with other women (older ones). But Nicky decides not to mention her privileged past just in case. He's grumpy enough around her as it is.
Things seem to be progressing (grudgingly on his part) until Nicky's dad, whom she hasn't seen in over 2 years shows up with his new young girlfriend.
Safety was surprisingly good
I was expecting the usual DP angst fest, with evil OW. Instead this is one of the handful I've read where the MCs communicate (well, more often than not).
Nicky used to be rich, and pampered and so very unhappy. Then, 3 years ago, she left her family at 19 and became an executive's assistant. (There is a secondary romance between her boss and an old flame). Now her boss has dragged her back to his childhood ranch which is run by his grouchy older brother, Winthrop.
The long careful dance between Nicky and Winthrop begins. He hates women, he doesn't want to marry, ...he duth protest too much. Especially as he has a hard time keeping his hands off her.
They are both wounded by life, but Nicky seems to be the more resilient of the two. I must confess I really didn't see why Winthrop was such a hard ass after the gold digging socialite; Deanna dumped him. It was kinda OTT, considering his parents were loving and he was good friends with other women (older ones). But Nicky decides not to mention her privileged past just in case. He's grumpy enough around her as it is.
Things seem to be progressing (grudgingly on his part) until Nicky's dad, whom she hasn't seen in over 2 years shows up with his new young girlfriend.
Safety was surprisingly good
September 8, 2025
Good DP (3.5), but I liked it better when I read it years ago.
August 30, 2019
I really liked this. This was old school but made for a nice small read.
September 10, 2020
4.5 ⭐️
Absolute perfection - almost. Taking a bit off because the book dragged a little and the banter between the mc’s got slightly repetitive.
This is another home run by DP. Similar story of two brothers who are chalk and cheese. The H is the older, brooding, grumpy one. The h is all kinds of platonic friends with the younger brother.
Loved the backdrop of Montana, a place of dreams and sweet comfort. Nicky is accompanying her boss who retreats back to his family ranch for a month to treat an ailment. The other brother owns and runs the ranch and is wary of love and affection, thanks to being fooled once by someone he cared for deeply.
The mc’s get off on a great start. Nicky is sweet and tender and unspoiled. Winthrop is a brute and spoiling for a fight with anyone who says a kind word to him.
I loved both the h and H and wish their tender loving ran a little deep. This is old fashioned romance at its best and a book to reach for if you’re needing a pick me up! Sweet comfort reading.
Absolute perfection - almost. Taking a bit off because the book dragged a little and the banter between the mc’s got slightly repetitive.
This is another home run by DP. Similar story of two brothers who are chalk and cheese. The H is the older, brooding, grumpy one. The h is all kinds of platonic friends with the younger brother.
Loved the backdrop of Montana, a place of dreams and sweet comfort. Nicky is accompanying her boss who retreats back to his family ranch for a month to treat an ailment. The other brother owns and runs the ranch and is wary of love and affection, thanks to being fooled once by someone he cared for deeply.
The mc’s get off on a great start. Nicky is sweet and tender and unspoiled. Winthrop is a brute and spoiling for a fight with anyone who says a kind word to him.
I loved both the h and H and wish their tender loving ran a little deep. This is old fashioned romance at its best and a book to reach for if you’re needing a pick me up! Sweet comfort reading.
August 25, 2020
3.5 stars
January 30, 2016
Revised Classic Diana Palmer
FINAL DECISION: A revised old favorite, MOUNTAIN MAN provides all the classic Diana Palmer tropes. Virginal heroine, woman hating hero who misunderstands and treats the heroine poorly because of it. The characters, however, make this a good read.
THE STORY: Nicole White comes to Montana with her boss for work. They are staying with her bosses older brother who hates women after being burned by a society girl. Winthrop Christopher cannot forget being betrayed and yet he cannot forget Nicole. What he doesn't know is that Nicole comes from a rich family herself but has decided to make it on her own. Winthrop feel betrayed when he discovers Nicole's secret, he feels betrayed again.
OPINION: Diana Palmer writes a particular type of hero and heroine. The formula doesn't vary a tremendous amount, but what makes her books interesting are the individual characters that she creates within those formulas. I like this book because the hero and heroine have a sweet connection. Winthrop has feelings for Nicole but doesn't want to admit it. In fact, he fights hard against it. While he is somewhat of a jerk at times, his behavior is not unforgivable. The book also has a good sense of place and an admiration for the western land. No one does the modern western ranchers and farmers better than Palmer.
WORTH MENTIONING: MOUNTAIN MAN is a revised version of WOMAN HATER.
CONNECTED BOOKS: MOUNTAIN MAN is a standalone.
STAR RATING: I give this book 4 stars.
FINAL DECISION: A revised old favorite, MOUNTAIN MAN provides all the classic Diana Palmer tropes. Virginal heroine, woman hating hero who misunderstands and treats the heroine poorly because of it. The characters, however, make this a good read.
THE STORY: Nicole White comes to Montana with her boss for work. They are staying with her bosses older brother who hates women after being burned by a society girl. Winthrop Christopher cannot forget being betrayed and yet he cannot forget Nicole. What he doesn't know is that Nicole comes from a rich family herself but has decided to make it on her own. Winthrop feel betrayed when he discovers Nicole's secret, he feels betrayed again.
OPINION: Diana Palmer writes a particular type of hero and heroine. The formula doesn't vary a tremendous amount, but what makes her books interesting are the individual characters that she creates within those formulas. I like this book because the hero and heroine have a sweet connection. Winthrop has feelings for Nicole but doesn't want to admit it. In fact, he fights hard against it. While he is somewhat of a jerk at times, his behavior is not unforgivable. The book also has a good sense of place and an admiration for the western land. No one does the modern western ranchers and farmers better than Palmer.
WORTH MENTIONING: MOUNTAIN MAN is a revised version of WOMAN HATER.
CONNECTED BOOKS: MOUNTAIN MAN is a standalone.
STAR RATING: I give this book 4 stars.
June 20, 2018
I had to keep reminding myself that this book was written in 1987: landlines, typewriters, etc. I liked Winthrop, the wounded alpha male, but really didn't care for Nicole. I know that it's a "time warp" issue for me, but at least this novel/author work for quite a few of my reading challenges!
Go Cards! L1C4!!
Go Cards! L1C4!!
September 4, 2022
I need put a pause on reading D.P. books. I have not been successful in finding a good one lately. This one included. There's no chemistry between the main characters. The H seemed so cold (not in a brooding sexy way) but just plain heartless. I could not feel the connection between the Hero and heroine.
It became boring and felt flat.
It became boring and felt flat.
January 4, 2016
h fell in love with her boss's brother, who was deserted by his ex-girlfriend when he got injured in a car accident.
As usual, H was so stubborn that I wanted to smack him, not to mention all the mean words he spoke to h. Not sure how h fell in love with h, but she did anyway.
As usual, H was so stubborn that I wanted to smack him, not to mention all the mean words he spoke to h. Not sure how h fell in love with h, but she did anyway.
August 4, 2015
Rating: 5 stars.
January 21, 2020
This is probably one of Diana Palmer's best romances.
Loved it❤
Loved it❤
July 29, 2016
This was not a book that in being re-published had anything that the modern woman would enjoy. I haven't yet done a google search to see when this was first published, but since the woman is a secretary an d still uses a typewriter and takes stenography and the 'hero' smokes'....well I guess that would make this a true historical wouldn't it?
I tried to get into the story, as it is a common one -man had been discarded harshly by the love of his life after a life changing accident. Woman he meets and finally has some interest in, lies to him.
But the story-line just wasn't subtle enough for me or even sexy enough...I grant you that not every romance should all end in sex, but this electricity between them was just a little ridiculous.
The heroine is a hot little 22 year old who will remain a virgin no matter what the hero is 11 years older and will not take advantage of her (no matter how she leads him on). Trite, overdone and I think it should have been slightly rewritten to update to today's readers. OR at least given today's readers enough information in the description to let them know what they would be getting into.
I tried to get into the story, as it is a common one -man had been discarded harshly by the love of his life after a life changing accident. Woman he meets and finally has some interest in, lies to him.
But the story-line just wasn't subtle enough for me or even sexy enough...I grant you that not every romance should all end in sex, but this electricity between them was just a little ridiculous.
The heroine is a hot little 22 year old who will remain a virgin no matter what the hero is 11 years older and will not take advantage of her (no matter how she leads him on). Trite, overdone and I think it should have been slightly rewritten to update to today's readers. OR at least given today's readers enough information in the description to let them know what they would be getting into.
June 18, 2013
Well..
Nicole's been warned. Winthrop, her boss's older brother, is a woman hater. He's wounded by past and he didn't want a relationship. Not to mention marriage. But when she meet him, she fell in love. She want to heal his wounds, hold him and love him. But Winthrop keep pushing her away, even though he feels the same way..
Need more angst! That's what I'm talking about! I want to read Diana Palmer's story where the heroine's hurt or have an accident right after the Hero's rejection, like Lawless. Urgh.. Too bad this one don't have any.
But I enjoyed it. Very typical of Diana Palmer.
Nicole's been warned. Winthrop, her boss's older brother, is a woman hater. He's wounded by past and he didn't want a relationship. Not to mention marriage. But when she meet him, she fell in love. She want to heal his wounds, hold him and love him. But Winthrop keep pushing her away, even though he feels the same way..
Need more angst! That's what I'm talking about! I want to read Diana Palmer's story where the heroine's hurt or have an accident right after the Hero's rejection, like Lawless. Urgh.. Too bad this one don't have any.
But I enjoyed it. Very typical of Diana Palmer.
July 14, 2019
This is by far my favourite Diana Palmer to date! Nicky and Winthrop both have pain and betrayal in their pasts, and shy away from commitment. I loved how Nicky slowly brought Winthrop some light in his life and how their relationship builds until neither can live without the other. Ms Palmer has a remarkable talent for creativing sizzling chemistry that adds delicious tension that continues at a high level throughout the story.This is one Diana Palmer book that should not be missed!
December 27, 2015
Relido em dezembro de 2015
January 22, 2016
3.5 stars
September 11, 2016
Pretty good read - especially for those who have an addiction to Palmer's books/heroes. H not as horrible as some other Palmer heroes. 3.5 stars
August 3, 2025
5/10.
Básicamente puedes predecir la historia.
(Lee con precaución, no hay spoilers fuertes pero sí críticas)
Me gustó la capacidad de la autora para hacer escenas divertidas, me hicieron reír bastante.
Empezamos fuerte con un "cliché" de chica ex-rica que se enamora del hermano de su jefe y él desprecia a los ricos (Sí, se considera un cliché.). ODIÉ el hecho de que pasen del odio al DESEO en dos hojas. ¿Por qué tanto hincapié en el vello corporal de Winthrop? No lo hace más sexy. Nicky tenía miedo de ser íntima con Winthrop, quien la incitaba e incluso llegaba a insistirle. Tampoco me excitó la parte de la cocina, incluso me disgustó un poco. Es un libro dirigido a divorciadas que necesitan un poco de cachondeo. Sino, ¿qué sentido tiene que Winthrop y Nicky se besen apasionadamente y el día siguiente se odien repentinamente porque "Winthrop se acordó que ella es mujer y siente que la va a traicionar" (???!!!).
Odié a Sadie un poco porque si te das cuenta no quiere tanto a su madre. Odié el hecho de que Dominic sea enseñado como un personaje que debes odiar a toda costa y que al final se cambie la historia para convertirlo en "El villano de una historia mal contada". Odiaste a tu hija y la despreciaste todos estos años, ¿ahora la quieres cuando se está coqueteando con alguien más rico que tú?. Te seguiré odiando, Dominic. Quizá no te des cuenta de estos detalles si lees el libro de corrido. Libro predecible, pero aunque fueras Nicky no querrías acostarte con Winthrop hoy si ayer te insultó y te trató de inferior porque eres mujer y a él una mujer le fue infiel. Amé a Gerald. Admito que al principio me gustó el libro por las partes eróticas, pero luego se le fue la mano a la autora y lo dejé por algunos días, lo retomé solo por la reseña.
3,5 estrellas de cinco.
Básicamente puedes predecir la historia.
(Lee con precaución, no hay spoilers fuertes pero sí críticas)
Me gustó la capacidad de la autora para hacer escenas divertidas, me hicieron reír bastante.
Empezamos fuerte con un "cliché" de chica ex-rica que se enamora del hermano de su jefe y él desprecia a los ricos (Sí, se considera un cliché.). ODIÉ el hecho de que pasen del odio al DESEO en dos hojas. ¿Por qué tanto hincapié en el vello corporal de Winthrop? No lo hace más sexy. Nicky tenía miedo de ser íntima con Winthrop, quien la incitaba e incluso llegaba a insistirle. Tampoco me excitó la parte de la cocina, incluso me disgustó un poco. Es un libro dirigido a divorciadas que necesitan un poco de cachondeo. Sino, ¿qué sentido tiene que Winthrop y Nicky se besen apasionadamente y el día siguiente se odien repentinamente porque "Winthrop se acordó que ella es mujer y siente que la va a traicionar" (???!!!).
Odié a Sadie un poco porque si te das cuenta no quiere tanto a su madre. Odié el hecho de que Dominic sea enseñado como un personaje que debes odiar a toda costa y que al final se cambie la historia para convertirlo en "El villano de una historia mal contada". Odiaste a tu hija y la despreciaste todos estos años, ¿ahora la quieres cuando se está coqueteando con alguien más rico que tú?. Te seguiré odiando, Dominic. Quizá no te des cuenta de estos detalles si lees el libro de corrido. Libro predecible, pero aunque fueras Nicky no querrías acostarte con Winthrop hoy si ayer te insultó y te trató de inferior porque eres mujer y a él una mujer le fue infiel. Amé a Gerald. Admito que al principio me gustó el libro por las partes eróticas, pero luego se le fue la mano a la autora y lo dejé por algunos días, lo retomé solo por la reseña.
3,5 estrellas de cinco.
May 7, 2023
I did really enjoy it... but... I had to dock a star because I really really hate it when the h is the one doing all the chasing. She throws herself at him over and over, and it gets to a point when I'm just embarrassed and slightly disgusted at her total lack of dignity. Girl, have some pride. When a guy turns you down ten times in a row and you're still trying to seduce him it makes you look utterly pathetic.
I did like how he falls apart at the end though. Good!
I did like how he falls apart at the end though. Good!
April 7, 2025
Kochani,
Bardzo, ale to bardzo długo nie dodawałam tutaj żadnej opinii dotyczącej książki.
Jednak ostatnio, udało mi się, przeczytać nowelę autorstwa Diany Palmer pod tytułem „Ciepły wiatr”
Czy przypadła mi do gustu?
Zapraszam do zapoznania się z moją opinią…
Jeśli podobają ci się moje posty postaw mi kawkę: buycoffee.to/taka-jest-agata
https://taka-jest-agata.blogspot.com/...
Bardzo, ale to bardzo długo nie dodawałam tutaj żadnej opinii dotyczącej książki.
Jednak ostatnio, udało mi się, przeczytać nowelę autorstwa Diany Palmer pod tytułem „Ciepły wiatr”
Czy przypadła mi do gustu?
Zapraszam do zapoznania się z moją opinią…
Jeśli podobają ci się moje posty postaw mi kawkę: buycoffee.to/taka-jest-agata
https://taka-jest-agata.blogspot.com/...
March 14, 2020
Meh.
Not one of this author’s best IMO.
**spoilers**
I wasn’t a fan of their first kiss - where he smelled and tasted of tobacco.
The heroine kept putting herself out there and getting rejected.
In the end he reluctantly decides to keep her around. But only because he was miserable without her.
Not one of this author’s best IMO.
**spoilers**
I wasn’t a fan of their first kiss - where he smelled and tasted of tobacco.
The heroine kept putting herself out there and getting rejected.
In the end he reluctantly decides to keep her around. But only because he was miserable without her.
August 6, 2023
I love Diana Palmer. I’ll read anything she writes honestly. Winthrope was everything I wanted in a grumpy hero and Nicky was a loveable and sassy leading lady. It’s a lot of push and pull with relatively low angst. I enjoyed this one and I’m glad that Nicky and her father were able to mend fences.
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