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Love's Encore
In one reckless night, Camille Jameson's life was changed a tall, handsome stranger, an evening of romance -- and enough regrets to last a lifetime. Two years later, Camille is a successful interior decorator with the opportunity to restore one of Mississippi's proudest plantations. She arrives excited and eager to face her greatest professional challenge to date -- until Zack Prescott saunters through the mansion's front door and back into her life. He is exactly as she remembers, except for the knowing look in his eyes that reminds her of what they once shared. Now, forced to live in unbearably close quarters, Camille and Zack will discover if they have the courage to face the past -- and, perhaps, build a future together . . .
201 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 1981
269 people are currently reading
1841 people want to read
About the author
Rachel Ryan
24 books31 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name.
Rachel Ryan is the pseudonym of Sandra Brown
Rachel Ryan is the pseudonym of Sandra Brown
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 137 reviews
February 8, 2015
3.5 Stars
By now you must know that one of my recent favorite authors is Sandra Brown. This is my 17th book by her. I have read a variety of her books; old and new and for me my favorite’s land within the late 1990’s through her current books.
Love’s Encore is a romance novel and was originally published back in the early 1980’s so you have to get yourself in that mindset when you start reading it. There is something to be said about the way romance novels were written thirty years ago. It wasn’t graphic or over done. It was just as inviting and sexual. Sandra Brown writes in a way that she allures you in, creates a level of anticipation and then allows for your imagination to take over.
Camille is hired by Rayburn Prescott to renovate his beautiful home in Natchez, Mississippi. It is her dream job and she couldn’t wait to get started. What she doesn’t realize is that she will be coming face to face with the one man that ruined her for all others and is the one even after two years she craves.
The past that they share has left them each in a tailspin of their own. On the outside, neither appears happy about having to spend time together but for the happiness of his father Zack will do whatever he has to and Camille can’t turn her back on the job.
Zack has never confided in anyone about that weekend two years ago. The time he spent with this girl who got under his skin and one that he would never get out of his system. The way things ended left him angry and confused. But it wasn’t any easier for Camille. What they shared was something that she would never forget but it was also something left her feeling ashamed.
Camille and Zack continue to try and resist these feelings that have resurfaced, feelings that are laced with hurt, confusion and desire. But when Rayburn realizes what is going on between these two he takes matters into his own hands. But will it be enough to heal the hurt that neither Zack nor Camille can shake.
Overall I enjoyed this one. It had all the SB trademark writing but I felt that there was too much back and forth with Zack and Camille. I loved the anticipation, the sexual tension and the challenges they faced, but I was getting whiplash with the back and forth with these two.
In the end I was happy. So all is good!! ❤
By now you must know that one of my recent favorite authors is Sandra Brown. This is my 17th book by her. I have read a variety of her books; old and new and for me my favorite’s land within the late 1990’s through her current books.
Love’s Encore is a romance novel and was originally published back in the early 1980’s so you have to get yourself in that mindset when you start reading it. There is something to be said about the way romance novels were written thirty years ago. It wasn’t graphic or over done. It was just as inviting and sexual. Sandra Brown writes in a way that she allures you in, creates a level of anticipation and then allows for your imagination to take over.
Camille is hired by Rayburn Prescott to renovate his beautiful home in Natchez, Mississippi. It is her dream job and she couldn’t wait to get started. What she doesn’t realize is that she will be coming face to face with the one man that ruined her for all others and is the one even after two years she craves.
The past that they share has left them each in a tailspin of their own. On the outside, neither appears happy about having to spend time together but for the happiness of his father Zack will do whatever he has to and Camille can’t turn her back on the job.
Zack has never confided in anyone about that weekend two years ago. The time he spent with this girl who got under his skin and one that he would never get out of his system. The way things ended left him angry and confused. But it wasn’t any easier for Camille. What they shared was something that she would never forget but it was also something left her feeling ashamed.
Camille and Zack continue to try and resist these feelings that have resurfaced, feelings that are laced with hurt, confusion and desire. But when Rayburn realizes what is going on between these two he takes matters into his own hands. But will it be enough to heal the hurt that neither Zack nor Camille can shake.
Overall I enjoyed this one. It had all the SB trademark writing but I felt that there was too much back and forth with Zack and Camille. I loved the anticipation, the sexual tension and the challenges they faced, but I was getting whiplash with the back and forth with these two.
In the end I was happy. So all is good!! ❤
March 14, 2017
This book is almost 40 years old. Can you tell? Definitely. It was a different era back then for romance authors. It is a bit cheesy and corny, but sometimes the brain is only in the mood for that. I was kinda tired yesterday and didn't want to use too many brain cells while reading so this fit the picture for me.
He is a bit of an asshole. She is a bit of a doormat. A few eye-rolling moments.
Yeah, I rolled my eyes a few times. But I knew what I was getting into when I started. Some of her older books are a bit cringe-worthy.
Of course we had a hairy chest. Now, it wouldn't be a SB book without the obligatory hairy chest.
An OK read but nothing too exciting.
He is a bit of an asshole. She is a bit of a doormat. A few eye-rolling moments.
The kiss was tender, but masterful. She didn't feel plundered, but rather discovered.
Yeah, I rolled my eyes a few times. But I knew what I was getting into when I started. Some of her older books are a bit cringe-worthy.
Of course we had a hairy chest. Now, it wouldn't be a SB book without the obligatory hairy chest.
The hair that spread like a fan on the upper part of his chest tapered to a silky golden line that disappeared into the waistband of his pyjamas.
An OK read but nothing too exciting.
July 21, 2017
The h/H meet and have a holiday romance/ons and then the h runs away while he’s still asleep. Now they meet again 2 yrs later when she takes up a commission to renovate a colonial mansion in Mississippi, and of course her employer’s son turns out to the H.
This book had some old-world moral code in it, especially coming from the h. The H and his father showed some southern sensibilities but nothing like our girl here.
“ I . . . I was . . . ashamed, humiliated. I went to bed with a perfect stranger and you took . . . It is the only thing a woman... It should have belonged to the man I'll marry."
“I ruined myself. Every time I think about it, I feel cheap and dirty. No decent man will ever want me.”
I had to go check the publication date. I’m sure in 1981, no one got ruined because of pre marital sex. But our h is distraught and keeps having hysterical swoons over it. Although I‘ve got to admit, her behavior stemmed from her dashed hopes that the H had used her for casual sex.
Not siding with the H or anything, but they had known each other for just 2-3 days and as he says he dint promise her anything and “didn't think up names for our first three children. Do you condemn me for following through with an instinct as old as time, Camille?”
It’s the H’s reaction that really normalizes things. If he had acted guilty or offered to make an honest woman of her, I would have swooned myself!
“Ruined? Cheap? Dirty?" His volume rose with each word. "Well, thanks a helluva lot. I didn't think my lovemaking was so bestial that it could reduce someone's self-esteem to such a low level."
“You make me sound like a hoard of Vikings looking for the village virgins and you being the only one found. I don't remember it that way. You weren't raped, Camille.”
There was no real conflict, just self presumed wrongs and talking at cross-purposes. The back-story and characters were well created and could have been so much better.
As much as I love SB’s books, this one was a drag. More so because of the h’s peculiar peccadillos.
This book had some old-world moral code in it, especially coming from the h. The H and his father showed some southern sensibilities but nothing like our girl here.
“ I . . . I was . . . ashamed, humiliated. I went to bed with a perfect stranger and you took . . . It is the only thing a woman... It should have belonged to the man I'll marry."
“I ruined myself. Every time I think about it, I feel cheap and dirty. No decent man will ever want me.”
I had to go check the publication date. I’m sure in 1981, no one got ruined because of pre marital sex. But our h is distraught and keeps having hysterical swoons over it. Although I‘ve got to admit, her behavior stemmed from her dashed hopes that the H had used her for casual sex.
Not siding with the H or anything, but they had known each other for just 2-3 days and as he says he dint promise her anything and “didn't think up names for our first three children. Do you condemn me for following through with an instinct as old as time, Camille?”
It’s the H’s reaction that really normalizes things. If he had acted guilty or offered to make an honest woman of her, I would have swooned myself!
“Ruined? Cheap? Dirty?" His volume rose with each word. "Well, thanks a helluva lot. I didn't think my lovemaking was so bestial that it could reduce someone's self-esteem to such a low level."
“You make me sound like a hoard of Vikings looking for the village virgins and you being the only one found. I don't remember it that way. You weren't raped, Camille.”
There was no real conflict, just self presumed wrongs and talking at cross-purposes. The back-story and characters were well created and could have been so much better.
As much as I love SB’s books, this one was a drag. More so because of the h’s peculiar peccadillos.
January 20, 2023
Героините на Сандра Браун никога не са ми харесвали, даже и за прочит между другото. Сега разбрах защо - заради емоционалното изнудване и манипулация, които активно упражняват, прикрити зад ахкане и благопристойни припадъци. В по-новите и заглавия поне има някакъв криминален сюжет, който донякъде компенсира. Тук и това няма, книгата е непоносима глупост. Може би даже днес се връзва с новите реакционерски настроения спрямо жените в САЩ - героинята пасва на техния “идеал” на куха лейка.
June 28, 2011
This book was everything trite and meaningless about romance. Neither Camille nor Zack, at any point in the book, lifted one finger to try to achieve their own happiness. This was one big self-pity fest, complete with obvious misunderstandings, idiotic self-righteousness, and a series of deus ex machinas to bring the pair together. Ah...fate...how kind you will always assuredly be to two people who are meant to be. They fell in love at first sight and he has some kind of magical power to make her body do anything he wants it to do, regardless of her feelings. C'est L'amour?
All right, so Camille is hired to restore a beautiful old house in Natchez, Mississippi. She doesn't realize that the man who hired her has a son, Zack, who she had a one-night stand with almost two years before. They met on a ski vacation, had sex, and she ran off in the middle of the night because....well, there were a few explanations proposed, all of them bad. Among the worst were fear that she might have become pregnant. (Because you know, if she did, the best thing to do is to run away, leaving no forwarding address.) Oh, and she felt shame and guilt because he "took" something that was supposed to belong only to her husband. (ie her virginity) Now, she's ruined! Ruined! And will never love anyone else again because any decent man....
Wait a second...no, this isn't a Regency....
...any decent man would hate her for being a weak-willed trollop who allowed herself to be seduced so easily by the man with the magic touch.
Oh, and the best reason of all -- she was already half in love with him and feared rejection, so she left before he had a chance to tell her she was just a great lay. (Granted, if he had done this it would have hurt, but come on -- at least then she would have had closure!)
So wait, where were we? Oh, yes! Restoring daddy's plantation.
Zack is a disgusting pervert who delights in making crude remarks, teasing her, and then giving her a disdainful look before going out with his girlfriend. Don't really know much else about him, since we never actually got inside his point of view.
Despite all that, it wasn't quite bad enough for a one-star review, which I tend to reserve for things with no redeeming qualities whatsoever. In this case, I suppose, that if you want to live a certain kind of fantasy in which life makes all the tough decisions for you, you might enjoy this quest for the three magic words, but I don't recommend it.
www.christineamsden.com
All right, so Camille is hired to restore a beautiful old house in Natchez, Mississippi. She doesn't realize that the man who hired her has a son, Zack, who she had a one-night stand with almost two years before. They met on a ski vacation, had sex, and she ran off in the middle of the night because....well, there were a few explanations proposed, all of them bad. Among the worst were fear that she might have become pregnant. (Because you know, if she did, the best thing to do is to run away, leaving no forwarding address.) Oh, and she felt shame and guilt because he "took" something that was supposed to belong only to her husband. (ie her virginity) Now, she's ruined! Ruined! And will never love anyone else again because any decent man....
Wait a second...no, this isn't a Regency....
...any decent man would hate her for being a weak-willed trollop who allowed herself to be seduced so easily by the man with the magic touch.
Oh, and the best reason of all -- she was already half in love with him and feared rejection, so she left before he had a chance to tell her she was just a great lay. (Granted, if he had done this it would have hurt, but come on -- at least then she would have had closure!)
So wait, where were we? Oh, yes! Restoring daddy's plantation.
Zack is a disgusting pervert who delights in making crude remarks, teasing her, and then giving her a disdainful look before going out with his girlfriend. Don't really know much else about him, since we never actually got inside his point of view.
Despite all that, it wasn't quite bad enough for a one-star review, which I tend to reserve for things with no redeeming qualities whatsoever. In this case, I suppose, that if you want to live a certain kind of fantasy in which life makes all the tough decisions for you, you might enjoy this quest for the three magic words, but I don't recommend it.
www.christineamsden.com
January 8, 2015
This novel has almost everything I despise about a badly done romance novel. I'm not buying the whole "You seduced me, I was innocent" B.S. Um, you enjoyed yourself and then jumped to conclusions honey! And the silly back and forth where they kiss passionately, and then she's all angry at him but she was an equal participant in the whole situation. I have got to, at least, be able to root for the couple. Instead I feel like I'd like to put their heads in a bucket and kick them around the room. They're just that stupid. 'nough said!
June 25, 2025
One of Sandra Brown's very first books (I think maybe her second), originally published in 1981, this edition was published in 1997. In an author's note at the beginning, Ms. Brown comments on how "This story reflects the trends and attitudes that were popular at the time..." I wouldn't know if that's true since in 1981 I was just turning 18 and was not yet into romance novels. I read a lot of older romance now, and I often refer to them as being quaint (not derisively - I love that they are quaint). This was not quaint. It was more cringe.
Camille, on a skiing trip with two friends after their college graduation, meets Zack, who is a bit older than her, and they end up sleeping together. The next morning, horrified, embarrassed, ashamed, and feeling guilty for giving up her virtue to a man outside of marriage, she flees while Zack is still asleep. Not just flees his bed, but packs up and cuts her vacation short to race home.
Two years later they are thrown together. He's mad that she ran out on him. She's mad that she hasn't stopped thinking about him and the fact that she left him deflower her. But what killed me was that she would throw that in his face, accusingly, as if it was his fault. Even though he did not realize until they were doing the dirty deed since she didn't tell him beforehand that she'd never been a man. So many times I wanted to tell her to get over herself and stop blaming Zack.
Classic they love each other but are both in denial, until literally the last few pages. However, since it's Sandra Brown, I still enjoyed it well enough, and her writing skills were already evident.
And now, my alternate review:
“I like this guy, I’ma have sex with him but not tell him I’m a virgin! Oh I’m so ashamed, I’ma sneak out while he’s asleep! Oh this neglected plantation house is gorgeous, I’ma fix it up good for the elderly owner! Oh, his son is my one night stand that I haven’t stopped thinking about for two years! Oh, he wants to know why I ran out! It was your own fault Zack, for taking my virtue! I hate you! I love you!”
Camille, on a skiing trip with two friends after their college graduation, meets Zack, who is a bit older than her, and they end up sleeping together. The next morning, horrified, embarrassed, ashamed, and feeling guilty for giving up her virtue to a man outside of marriage, she flees while Zack is still asleep. Not just flees his bed, but packs up and cuts her vacation short to race home.
Two years later they are thrown together. He's mad that she ran out on him. She's mad that she hasn't stopped thinking about him and the fact that she left him deflower her. But what killed me was that she would throw that in his face, accusingly, as if it was his fault. Even though he did not realize until they were doing the dirty deed since she didn't tell him beforehand that she'd never been a man. So many times I wanted to tell her to get over herself and stop blaming Zack.
Classic they love each other but are both in denial, until literally the last few pages. However, since it's Sandra Brown, I still enjoyed it well enough, and her writing skills were already evident.
And now, my alternate review:
“I like this guy, I’ma have sex with him but not tell him I’m a virgin! Oh I’m so ashamed, I’ma sneak out while he’s asleep! Oh this neglected plantation house is gorgeous, I’ma fix it up good for the elderly owner! Oh, his son is my one night stand that I haven’t stopped thinking about for two years! Oh, he wants to know why I ran out! It was your own fault Zack, for taking my virtue! I hate you! I love you!”
June 26, 2011
This book was written beautifully. Though Sandra Brown always mentioned Camille's breasts and that kind of bothered me. But over all it was great! I found that Zack was a little superficial but his personality and sense of humor made you fall in love with him and the book. It was very good I enjoyed every second of reading the book.
Also recommended: All books of Phyllis A. Whitney's is strongly recommended. And Angel Creek by Linda Howard, Kindom of Dreams, and Perfect by Judith McNaught
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April 1, 2013
Love's Encore by Sandra Brown
Rayburn Prescott hires interior designer Camille.
She is amazed when she meets his son, Zach-who she had met once in Utah skiing after she had graduated from college.
She was to stay at the plantation while it was restored. She never wanted to meet Zach again and wonders if she can do her job with Zach around...
Love detailed descriptions of not only the estate of the driving tours, gardens but the skiing lodge in Utah.
Hot steamy sex scenes add to this story. Zach takes charge when the servants have the day off and he prepares their meals-I was glad to see he didn't rely on them.
Medical emergency, natural disaster and an abrupt wedding really upset the household...
Rayburn Prescott hires interior designer Camille.
She is amazed when she meets his son, Zach-who she had met once in Utah skiing after she had graduated from college.
She was to stay at the plantation while it was restored. She never wanted to meet Zach again and wonders if she can do her job with Zach around...
Love detailed descriptions of not only the estate of the driving tours, gardens but the skiing lodge in Utah.
Hot steamy sex scenes add to this story. Zach takes charge when the servants have the day off and he prepares their meals-I was glad to see he didn't rely on them.
Medical emergency, natural disaster and an abrupt wedding really upset the household...
September 26, 2017
Was it attractive in the 80s to be insipid? What about insufferably arrogant? These were really annoying protagonists.
February 3, 2018
Sometime you are just in the mood for an easy, happy ending story. This one captivated me from the start. The book is set in the South - Natchez. Talks about the historic mansions and the beauty of the foliage. The characters in the story are lovely. I feel like they are friends and was sad for the book to end.
July 17, 2022
I've read this book for the first time about 20 years ago. I loved it then (I was 13 yo). Accidentally found it yesterday and revisited the story for the cheesiness and old classic SB writing. Still okay even 20 years later, when you don't have expectation it will blow your mind. I guess it was good for when it was released.
August 4, 2020
A love story in Natchez, MS
July 19, 2018
Another fantastic book by Sandra Brown! 😉
April 4, 2018
This is Sandra Brown's debut novel, and as such I wasn't expecting a masterpiece. This certainly was not.
I docked three stars for two main reasons:
1) The whole plot hinges on the heroine making assumptions about the hero and what he's thinking, yet she doesn't confront him about these grievances. Worse - sometimes these assumptions don't even really match his behaviour. It's like she's just willfully contrary towards the latter half. He on the other hand, not being a telepath, can't really follow. He does however do his own hot/cold routine. Still, Camille's tendency to leap to wild conclusions about Zack, getting angry and then not tell him why grew old pretty fast. Then it grew REALLY ANNOYING. Especially when she just never ever talks. She doesn't talk. WHY CAN'T THESE TWO ADULTS HAVE A FREAKING CONVERSATION. I docked two points because for the latter half right up to the ending I wanted to give Camille a smack or two every other page. That being said Zack doesn't really help either and so the plot drags on.
2) The whole feminine/masculine thing was overdone. I get it - Camille is dainty and feminine and Zack is a manly man who runs a plantation. It doesn't have to be hammered home constantly. Also, maybe because it's dated, but the issue of sex is handled badly. The heroine is always unwilling, but then succumbs to her baser instincts or whatever - it's not very appealing to this reader.
Two minor things: Sandra Brown really wants you to know what her characters are wearing. At all times. I can't remember the last time I read a book where there's so much description of every change of clothes. Also, for every time Zach's chest hair was described I just imagined him hairier and hairier - like a pelt ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ Not very sexy.
On the other hand I liked the language, the restoration plot (which I wanted more of) and a fair few of the interactions between Camille and Zach (mostly when Camille wasn't interpreting Zach's behaviour completely willy-nilly).
On to the next!
I docked three stars for two main reasons:
1) The whole plot hinges on the heroine making assumptions about the hero and what he's thinking, yet she doesn't confront him about these grievances. Worse - sometimes these assumptions don't even really match his behaviour. It's like she's just willfully contrary towards the latter half. He on the other hand, not being a telepath, can't really follow. He does however do his own hot/cold routine. Still, Camille's tendency to leap to wild conclusions about Zack, getting angry and then not tell him why grew old pretty fast. Then it grew REALLY ANNOYING. Especially when she just never ever talks. She doesn't talk. WHY CAN'T THESE TWO ADULTS HAVE A FREAKING CONVERSATION. I docked two points because for the latter half right up to the ending I wanted to give Camille a smack or two every other page. That being said Zack doesn't really help either and so the plot drags on.
2) The whole feminine/masculine thing was overdone. I get it - Camille is dainty and feminine and Zack is a manly man who runs a plantation. It doesn't have to be hammered home constantly. Also, maybe because it's dated, but the issue of sex is handled badly. The heroine is always unwilling, but then succumbs to her baser instincts or whatever - it's not very appealing to this reader.
Two minor things: Sandra Brown really wants you to know what her characters are wearing. At all times. I can't remember the last time I read a book where there's so much description of every change of clothes. Also, for every time Zach's chest hair was described I just imagined him hairier and hairier - like a pelt ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ Not very sexy.
On the other hand I liked the language, the restoration plot (which I wanted more of) and a fair few of the interactions between Camille and Zach (mostly when Camille wasn't interpreting Zach's behaviour completely willy-nilly).
On to the next!
May 16, 2014
Two years ago Camille Jameson acted on an impulse and slept with Zack Prescott. Having been an innocent, Camille freaked and left before he woke up. Now Camille is designing his families Mississippi plantation and Zack wants answers.
Zack wants to know why Camille left, she was what he believed his one but he never got the chance to explore if it was true. Zack can readily admit he is baiting Camille, she is frustrated but so is Zack. He wants her, but both Camille and Zack need to let their pride move aside and really see what is in front of them.
Entertaining read. The chemistry between Zack and Camille is highly entertaining. If you enjoy a story where the hero and heroine are to afraid to get to the heart of the matter, their feelings, but instead lash out and taunt, this is one for you.
Zack wants to know why Camille left, she was what he believed his one but he never got the chance to explore if it was true. Zack can readily admit he is baiting Camille, she is frustrated but so is Zack. He wants her, but both Camille and Zack need to let their pride move aside and really see what is in front of them.
Entertaining read. The chemistry between Zack and Camille is highly entertaining. If you enjoy a story where the hero and heroine are to afraid to get to the heart of the matter, their feelings, but instead lash out and taunt, this is one for you.
January 8, 2015
Loved it
This was such a great read from beginning to end. The passion between Zack and Camille was so wonderful. With each book of Sandra Brown I become a bigger fan. I would highly recommend this book.
This was such a great read from beginning to end. The passion between Zack and Camille was so wonderful. With each book of Sandra Brown I become a bigger fan. I would highly recommend this book.
August 20, 2025
Soooo cheesy and sooo exactly what I needed on a hot summer’s day. The scenario is incredibly dated and some plot points are very clichéd, but it still works as a breezy romance to rip through in a day or less.
August 26, 2018
What a bizarre book. It started off well enough, but then took a turn to left field and more or less completely lost me.
Camille Jameson is a burgeoning interior decorator in Atlanta. She is hired by a wealthy old Southern gentleman to completely refurbish his beloved house Bridal Wreath in Natchez, MS. She is excited about the job, until she arrives and realizes that said Southern gentleman is the father of Zachary Prescott, the man she'd had a one-night-stand with two years prior during a ski trip to Utah.
Camille is a weird woman. She considers herself to be desperately in love with Zack, but ran away from him after their night together, feeling ashamed and humiliated to have given her virginity to him, a virtual stranger, when it should've been a special gift for her future husband(gag gag gag). She left him without a word, and wants to leave him again, but considering Zack's father is at the end of his life and his last wish is to restore his home, she agrees to stay and complete the job.
So these two basically flit and flirt with each other, and that's all well and good, until It was so weird, and so contrived. The marriage of convenience trope was totally not the right one to use here, and it basically ruined the second half of the story.
The other thing that ruined it was Camille's incredible stupidity. The entire novel is from her POV, so we never get inside Zack's head to understand why he's so attracted to her, which frankly would've been helpful because she is about as dumb as a box of rocks. She constantly jumps to the wrong conclusion about everything, and stubbornly refuses to tell him that she loves him, and gee, if only he'd say that back to her would she willingly accept his embraces. Even a secondary character basically telling her outright that he's been in love with her since their one-night-stand goes completely over her head. She makes herself and him absolutely miserable because she's too childish to just open her damn mouth and get what she wants.
There's a rocks-fall-everyone-dies moment before the two declare their love for each other in the final few pages and live happily ever after. I'm certainly glad this author went on to write 50+ more books, because I shudder to think what would've happened if she'd been limited to only a few and tried to shoehorn every trope in existence into them, as she does here o.O
Camille Jameson is a burgeoning interior decorator in Atlanta. She is hired by a wealthy old Southern gentleman to completely refurbish his beloved house Bridal Wreath in Natchez, MS. She is excited about the job, until she arrives and realizes that said Southern gentleman is the father of Zachary Prescott, the man she'd had a one-night-stand with two years prior during a ski trip to Utah.
Camille is a weird woman. She considers herself to be desperately in love with Zack, but ran away from him after their night together, feeling ashamed and humiliated to have given her virginity to him, a virtual stranger, when it should've been a special gift for her future husband
So these two basically flit and flirt with each other, and that's all well and good, until It was so weird, and so contrived. The marriage of convenience trope was totally not the right one to use here, and it basically ruined the second half of the story.
The other thing that ruined it was Camille's incredible stupidity. The entire novel is from her POV, so we never get inside Zack's head to understand why he's so attracted to her, which frankly would've been helpful because she is about as dumb as a box of rocks. She constantly jumps to the wrong conclusion about everything, and stubbornly refuses to tell him that she loves him, and gee, if only he'd say that back to her would she willingly accept his embraces. Even a secondary character basically telling her outright that he's been in love with her since their one-night-stand goes completely over her head. She makes herself and him absolutely miserable because she's too childish to just open her damn mouth and get what she wants.
There's a rocks-fall-everyone-dies moment before the two declare their love for each other in the final few pages and live happily ever after. I'm certainly glad this author went on to write 50+ more books, because I shudder to think what would've happened if she'd been limited to only a few and tried to shoehorn every trope in existence into them, as she does here o.O
May 14, 2021
This book was an kind of entertaining read, though a bit on the melodramatic (a.k.a. silly) side. Camille sure played the victim card, before it was even fashionable. She slept with Zack, whom she just met, then blames him for "ruining" her. She wasn't forced or given a date rape drug, so if she gave up her virginity, which she supposedly wanted to save for marriage, she had no one to blame but herself. (Not to mention that, since she and Zack ended up with a HEA, there was a lot of bother over nothing.)
I think my favorite character was Zack's dad, who seemed to be the only level headed person. He knew his son and Camille belonged together, and after overhearing their conversation (in his hospital bed, of all places) about what happened between them and how cheap it made Camille feel, he insisted that Zack do the right thing and marry her. With that kind of start, it's not surprising that their marriage was anything but happy at first. It took a natural disaster for things to finally get straightened out, when some good honest conversation would have done the trick a lot easier.
It occurred to me that some of this might have worked as a regency novel: the innocent girl taken advantage of by a scoundrel, the honorable father insisting that they get married, the misunderstandings as they both realize their true feelings, yet believe they aren't returned, etc. It would have made more sense in that time period.
I think my favorite character was Zack's dad, who seemed to be the only level headed person. He knew his son and Camille belonged together, and after overhearing their conversation (in his hospital bed, of all places) about what happened between them and how cheap it made Camille feel, he insisted that Zack do the right thing and marry her. With that kind of start, it's not surprising that their marriage was anything but happy at first. It took a natural disaster for things to finally get straightened out, when some good honest conversation would have done the trick a lot easier.
It occurred to me that some of this might have worked as a regency novel: the innocent girl taken advantage of by a scoundrel, the honorable father insisting that they get married, the misunderstandings as they both realize their true feelings, yet believe they aren't returned, etc. It would have made more sense in that time period.
May 29, 2024
Love's Encore is reported as being Sandra Brown's first published novel. It, along with most of her early books, is strictly romantic fiction.
Well written, this story, however, lacks the suspense and complexity of her later books. It opens with Camille Jameson accepting a commission to redecorate the Nachez, Mississippi home of an elderly gentleman.
Rayburn Prescott eventually learns that when sparks immediately fly between Camille and his son, Zack, it is nothing new.
The backstory is that almost two years earlier, they had met on the ski slopes of Utah. There, they had engaged in a torrid affair before she fled in disgrace.
As the story progresses, one learns that Zack fell in love that night, but is too proud to admit it to a heartbroken Camille.
Too much angst and too much anger fills the book before Zack's father takes matters into his own hands to reunite the lovers.
A redeeming feature is the vivid and remarkable feeling of an antibellum setting that sustains us to a satisfying conclusion.
Well written, this story, however, lacks the suspense and complexity of her later books. It opens with Camille Jameson accepting a commission to redecorate the Nachez, Mississippi home of an elderly gentleman.
Rayburn Prescott eventually learns that when sparks immediately fly between Camille and his son, Zack, it is nothing new.
The backstory is that almost two years earlier, they had met on the ski slopes of Utah. There, they had engaged in a torrid affair before she fled in disgrace.
As the story progresses, one learns that Zack fell in love that night, but is too proud to admit it to a heartbroken Camille.
Too much angst and too much anger fills the book before Zack's father takes matters into his own hands to reunite the lovers.
A redeeming feature is the vivid and remarkable feeling of an antibellum setting that sustains us to a satisfying conclusion.
December 4, 2021
Really good. Camille is an interior designer in Georgia, she’s hired to renovate a mansion for Mr. Prescott, an older southern gentleman. Upon arriving at the house she discovers Mr. Prescott’s son is Zack Prescott, an old flame from a one a night stand. The last time she saw him she left him lying in bed during the early hours of the morning. Now they have to live in close proximity to each other, while she tries to keep her mind focused on work, but Zack is all she can think about.
Liked it a lot. Brown gets right into the story which I appreciate. I mean I didn’t really understand Camilles reasoning for leaving Zack during their first encounter. Fairly minor miscommunication trope, though it did aggravate me till no end. Would’ve loved if they’d gotten together sooner but I can appreciate a slowborn. Pretty tame love scenes for Brown but the yearning is what made it. Loved the southern atmosphere. 10/10
Liked it a lot. Brown gets right into the story which I appreciate. I mean I didn’t really understand Camilles reasoning for leaving Zack during their first encounter. Fairly minor miscommunication trope, though it did aggravate me till no end. Would’ve loved if they’d gotten together sooner but I can appreciate a slowborn. Pretty tame love scenes for Brown but the yearning is what made it. Loved the southern atmosphere. 10/10
April 13, 2020
He's charming. She's beautiful. They were made for each other. Then why can't they just get together? Because of a night two years ago . . .
Ignoring how dated this book is (I mean Camille's mindset is so problematic), the one thing that annoyed me the most about this book is THEY DON'T COMMUNICATE. Words are said. Dialogue is exchanged. But they don't communicate. How many of their issues could have been cleared up if they would just communicate - talk - listen to one another? They held on so tightly to their pride and preconceived notions that even Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth Bennett would be shaking their heads at these two.
Other than that and a few other minor problems (like the flat side characters) .... it's a cute fluffy romance.
Ignoring how dated this book is (I mean Camille's mindset is so problematic), the one thing that annoyed me the most about this book is THEY DON'T COMMUNICATE. Words are said. Dialogue is exchanged. But they don't communicate. How many of their issues could have been cleared up if they would just communicate - talk - listen to one another? They held on so tightly to their pride and preconceived notions that even Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth Bennett would be shaking their heads at these two.
Other than that and a few other minor problems (like the flat side characters) .... it's a cute fluffy romance.
May 3, 2024
Sandra Brown’s first novel was not bad, considering it’s over 40 years old. I find the earlier works of some of my favorite authors to be the same old tired tropes… Strong, irritating male, female torn between her love and hate for him. But somehow this one actually pushed through that stereotype for me. Camille had met Zack two years ago and had a brief affair with him, and regrets it to this day. She’s hired by Zack’s father, Rayburn, to redecorate his Natchez mansion, without realizing their connection. Out of a sense of duty, she continues on with the project, and is forced to work closely with Zack to ensure the health of Rayburn. A quick, mindless read.
February 9, 2021
Er hat ihr Herz schon einmal gebrochen. Aber gegen ihre Gefühle ist sie machtlos ...
Die Architektin Camille Jameson hat nur eine einzige wunderbare Nacht mit dem leidenschaftlichen Fremden verbracht. Doch für sie war es so viel mehr. Dann war er weg, und ihr Herz brach. Jahre später fährt Camille nach Mississippi, um eine alte Plantage zu restaurieren. Dort trifft sie ausgerechnet auf Zack Prescott, den Fremden von einst. Und diesmal verspricht er ihr ewige Liebe! Doch kann Camille seinen Worten noch einmal vertrauen?
Die Architektin Camille Jameson hat nur eine einzige wunderbare Nacht mit dem leidenschaftlichen Fremden verbracht. Doch für sie war es so viel mehr. Dann war er weg, und ihr Herz brach. Jahre später fährt Camille nach Mississippi, um eine alte Plantage zu restaurieren. Dort trifft sie ausgerechnet auf Zack Prescott, den Fremden von einst. Und diesmal verspricht er ihr ewige Liebe! Doch kann Camille seinen Worten noch einmal vertrauen?
June 1, 2023
I enjoyed the remake of the Prescott's old southern mansion in Natchez, Mississippi, although I could have used more detail. Zach and Camille's tempestuous meeting again after two years seemed a bit too coincidental to believe, so I assumed Zach's father had orchestrated it from the beginning, but evidently not. Camille seemed awfully young, but I recognized her stance on extramarital sex, since it's the one I grew up with. Their marriage felt contrived, but on the whole, I enjoyed the story, and I particularly enjoyed Natchez.
December 4, 2025
3.5 stars
This story was fun. While it does center on a bit of miscommunication, it is for the sake of their pride. They are fighting this attraction for each other but neither wanting to admit that they were hurt. As the reader, you can tell that he was hurt that she left him two years ago and wants her back. She does dwell on how hurt she felt by being just another girl for him. This story is from the 80's, so there is some odd twists to the story but I enjoyed it overall.
This story was fun. While it does center on a bit of miscommunication, it is for the sake of their pride. They are fighting this attraction for each other but neither wanting to admit that they were hurt. As the reader, you can tell that he was hurt that she left him two years ago and wants her back. She does dwell on how hurt she felt by being just another girl for him. This story is from the 80's, so there is some odd twists to the story but I enjoyed it overall.
July 15, 2017
Camille is an Interior Decorator and takes a contract with Rayburn to fully redecorate his southern mansion, Bridal Wreath. Upon arrival she meets his son Zack whom she encountered two years earlier on a ski trip. A somewhat shallow story which drags as both stubbornly avoid their real feelings and communication. Not one of her better books.
July 20, 2019
Picked this as part of a reading challenge for a “popular author’s first book.” I was also looking for an easy, light read to distract me during a stressful time. This fit the bill!
It has been a while since I have read a classic romance novel and this one was of that traditional formula. Very predictable and very cute. It was written in the ‘80s so also antiquated from that perspective.
It has been a while since I have read a classic romance novel and this one was of that traditional formula. Very predictable and very cute. It was written in the ‘80s so also antiquated from that perspective.
February 4, 2022
I read this when I was a teenager and it didn’t age well. The idea that a woman felt “dirty” after a one night stand baffled me. Also, I didn’t like how they never communicated. I mean, the whole conflict of thee book was misunderstandings and just not talking to each other. It was def the trope of the time and that for me shows what type of relationship I don’t want.
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