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Dear Villian
Liz looks forward to her new job at the Queensbridge Civic Theater, until she finds out that Adam Carlyon is the new director
Hardcover
First published December 1, 1975
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
March 12, 2020
A lot of qui pro quos and Great, Big, Terrible Misunderstandings: a loves b but believes b loves c. b really loves a but thinks a is involved with d, who is actually only a good friend and is in love with a's roommate e, who believes d is in love with f. Honestly, it was tedious, plus the last few pages recounted and unraveled all these liaisons and misperceptions in an incredibly overlong and boring dialogue between a and b, when what I really wanted was swoon worthy ILY declarations.
On the other hand, it was a really nicely written depiction of life in a theater troupe, with all the tensions, camaraderie, successes and failures involved. I actually don't mind it when a romance is not so focused on the couple but revolves around a pretty intricate world of well drawn secondary characters. I believed in these characters doing their jobs and living their day to day life, as opposed to some stories that just slap on labels on the protagonists and vaguely outline the setting without the reader ever getting the sense that these are more than just cardboard cut-outs.
There were also some pretty charming scenes involving the heroine getting into some outlandish physical situations like jumping into a lake or getting stuck into a tree, with the hero not so much coming to the rescue but being unwillingly drawn into the drama. In other hands, these kind of scenes may have played out as trite but in this case, they were utterly charming and romantic.
Alas, the ending was underwhelming for me and did not realize the promise that the story held at its outset.
On the other hand, it was a really nicely written depiction of life in a theater troupe, with all the tensions, camaraderie, successes and failures involved. I actually don't mind it when a romance is not so focused on the couple but revolves around a pretty intricate world of well drawn secondary characters. I believed in these characters doing their jobs and living their day to day life, as opposed to some stories that just slap on labels on the protagonists and vaguely outline the setting without the reader ever getting the sense that these are more than just cardboard cut-outs.
There were also some pretty charming scenes involving the heroine getting into some outlandish physical situations like jumping into a lake or getting stuck into a tree, with the hero not so much coming to the rescue but being unwillingly drawn into the drama. In other hands, these kind of scenes may have played out as trite but in this case, they were utterly charming and romantic.
Alas, the ending was underwhelming for me and did not realize the promise that the story held at its outset.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 20, 2013
3 Stars ~ Two years ago having been jilted by her fiance, Liz's sister Helen kept arranging meetings with her husband's best friend, Adam. Liz was flattered by Adam's attention and found her emotional wall start to crumble; that is until she overheard a conversation describing Adam as a womanizer and herself as his latest conquest. So she rejected him with bitter words and Adam left London for Edinburgh. Now her brother-in-law John has been given the directorship of a brand new Civic Theatre just outside London and he's hired Liz as the deputy stage manager, and Adam has accepted to be the first season's guest director. Liz had hoped that they could just forget their past, but Adam clearly still holds a grudge, and she admits to herself that she does too.
Ms. Gilbert published 12 books with Harlequin in the 70's and 80's; this is her debut. Adam and Liz have always sparked off each other, which has lead to some heated moments where they both regret rash words. Adam is annoyed that there is something about Liz that has every male in her vicinity wanting to protect her, including himself. He manages to save her from some rather comical yet potentially injurious situations. Liz is good at her job, but she's a soft touch and everyone seems to know it. Her clumsiness only adds to her charm. Ms. Gilbert's has a lovely sense of humour which adds a lovely balance to the more dramatic scenes. I'm looking forward to reading her other books.
Ms. Gilbert published 12 books with Harlequin in the 70's and 80's; this is her debut. Adam and Liz have always sparked off each other, which has lead to some heated moments where they both regret rash words. Adam is annoyed that there is something about Liz that has every male in her vicinity wanting to protect her, including himself. He manages to save her from some rather comical yet potentially injurious situations. Liz is good at her job, but she's a soft touch and everyone seems to know it. Her clumsiness only adds to her charm. Ms. Gilbert's has a lovely sense of humour which adds a lovely balance to the more dramatic scenes. I'm looking forward to reading her other books.
January 27, 2024
This was fine if a little dull. We spent too much time oin the minutia of the heroine’s job and all the side characters, and not enough time on the MCs interactions.
June 15, 2020
Liz was looking forward to her new job at the Queensbridge Civic Theatre until she learned that the director was to be Adam Carlyon. He was a man she had no wish to meet again.
During their brief acquaintance, Adam had made it quite plain she had no place in his life.
Liz remembered his words vividly. "Perhaps it's marriage or nothing with you, Elizabeth? Well, you're very young of course, and although youth is refreshing--I'm an old hand and not so easily caught!"
During their brief acquaintance, Adam had made it quite plain she had no place in his life.
Liz remembered his words vividly. "Perhaps it's marriage or nothing with you, Elizabeth? Well, you're very young of course, and although youth is refreshing--I'm an old hand and not so easily caught!"
September 1, 2022
Yet another set in the now familiar to me world of the Queensbridge Civic Theatre. It's a proper old fashioned Mills &Boon with a cast of thousands and a lot of theatrical goings on around the love story between Director Adam Carlyon and Deputy Stage Manager Elizabeth Browning. Lots of lovely, authentic detail as to what goes into putting on a theatre production. It's a bit drawn out and packed full of miscommunication and misunderstandings but I still enjoyed it.
A real bygone era piece, published in the early mid 70s but reads much earlier.
A real bygone era piece, published in the early mid 70s but reads much earlier.
January 14, 2026
This was a nice story mainly based in London and the whole setup is in Theatre.Hero Adam is the director of plays and heroine Elizabeth is like his assistant.They both had met a couple of years ago and were attracted to one another but had drifted apart.
Adam and Elizabeth are always arguing with one another throughout the book and simultaneously attracted to each other.
They are likeable characters with good support casts and all in all an enjoyable book.
Adam and Elizabeth are always arguing with one another throughout the book and simultaneously attracted to each other.
They are likeable characters with good support casts and all in all an enjoyable book.
June 23, 2019
The story moved at snail pace and not much happened between the first page and the last.
February 27, 2023
Lovely, dreamy story with many excellent characters plus h and H. Interesting setting with theatrical background added greatly to appeal. Should probably give it 4 stars except the last misunderstanding was gratuitous.
February 4, 2013
Perhaps what makes this my most memorable romance novel ever is that it's loosely inspired from Pride and Prejudice, the hero and heroine are relatively more "real", and it's very beautifully written with just the right touches of humor and drama.
March 11, 2013
As always, this is a winner of a book. I have it on my wishlist somewhere that I need a copy of this and yet there it was on my bookshelf at home. No need to wait for it! The heroine is a bit of a comedienne and the hero is super hunky cool. But too much male chauvanism for me.
August 10, 2011
Really good Harlequin. This book has stuck in my mind for years and very few can say that.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews