My Hero

by Debbie Macomber

He was a perfect hero--on paper, anyway!

Would-be romance writer Bailey York was a woman who'd already failed twice at love. As far as she was concerned, men were wonderful to read--and to write--about, but that was as close as she wanted to get. Which was probably why she had such difficulty creating a hero.

She needed a real-life model, she finally decided. And she found one. Parker Davidson was everything a hero should be. Compellingly attractive. Forceful and determined, yet capable of tenderness. A man of substance.

Parker was perfect for Bailey's novel--but he wanted to be the hero in her life, not just in her book!

Genres: Romance, Fiction, Contemporary Romance, Contemporary, Harlequin, Audiobook, Novels

312 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1992

About the author

Debbie Macomber is a #1 New York Times bestselling author and one of today’s most popular writers with more than 200 million copies of her books in print worldwide. In her novels, Macomber brings to life compelling relationships that embrace family and enduring friendships, uplifting her readers with stories of connection and hope. Macomber’s novels have spent over 1,000 weeks on the New York Times bestseller list. Fifteen of these novels hit the number one spot.

In 2023, Macomber’s all-new hardcover publication includes Must Love Flowers (July). In addition to fiction, Macomber has also published three bestselling cookbooks, three adult coloring books, numerous inspirational and nonfiction works, and two acclaimed children’s books.

Celebrated as “the official storyteller of Christmas”, Macomber’s annual Christmas books are beloved and six have been crafted into original Hallmark Channel movies. Macomber is also the author of the bestselling Cedar Cove Series which the Hallmark Channel chose as the basis for its first dramatic scripted television series. Debuting in 2013, Debbie Macomber’s Cedar Cove was a ratings favorite for three seasons.

She serves on the Guideposts National Advisory Cabinet, is a YFC National Ambassador, and is World Vision’s international spokesperson for their Knit for Kids charity initiative. A devoted grandmother, Debbie and Wayne live in Port Orchard, Washington, the town which inspired the Cedar Cove series.

Reviews

[Erin · Rating 2 out of 5]

I know what you're thinking....

Girl why did you read this book?

Real talk....I liked the cover. I thought it was pretty.

My Hero is just as bad as you would think it is. Bailey York is an aspiring romance writer but she's having trouble creating her "Hero" aka the love interest. That is until she sees Parker Davidson and decides he would be her perfect "Hero". He's the perfect man as long as he stays on paper.

If I behaved like Bailey, my family would have me committed to a mental health center....as they should. Bailey is a crazy person but everyone just acts like her behavior is cute and normal.

If you hate instalove AVOID THIS BOOK. Its impossible to fall madly in love with someone you've only known for less than month. You can fall in lust but love...Nah fam! Nah!

My Hero isn't a terrible book but its just not my thing. If you enjoy books like this than I think you'll love it. Its an extremely quick read(I read it in one day) and its a light read that's perfect for Spring.

[Maggie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is yet another book where the title sounds like cheese but the story is not so cheesy. In this story the main character is a writer and is having difficulties creating a character for her "hero". She finds a real like hero-like man and so it goes. I liked this story okay, it was a cute story for Valentines Day and a quick read. The beginning was a little slow and I almost put it down. Once the two main characters met the story picked up.

[Amanda Hash · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love Debbie Macomber. I do. And overall, this story wasn't terrible (I was intrigued by Bailey) BUT...

If I had come across the word "hero" one more time, my head might have actually exploded. Bailey is writing about a romantic hero, I know, so I expected to see it a few times... but it was too much. If I had started a drinking game, downing a shot every time I read the word, I would have died from alcohol poisoning by the third chapter.

Aside from that, it had a super cute premise and a fantastic happily-ever-after, so I'm still glad I read it. I developed a little crush on Parker myself, so be warned;)

[Pam · Rating 2 out of 5]

I never thought I would see a Debbie Macomber book I did not like. Now I have. My Hero is a bummer of a book. Bailey needs help with her writing and description of her hero in her book. Parker fits the bill and decides to help her. It just doesn't work for me. However, I will never give up on Debbie Macomber.

[Phylisha Stone · Rating 2 out of 5]

OK read. Not one of her best.

[Bethany M · Rating 1 out of 5]

Couldn’t finish this one! The lead woman seems very desperate and the constant use of ‘my hero’ or ‘her hero’ got quite annoying / redundant. 😢

[Mae · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a true beach read.
It was also in large print. I managed to read 331 pages in a day.
The story was kind of cute if a bit silly.
Bailey is attempting to write a romance novel. She is having problems with her hero. She decides to pick a man out of the crowd on the subway system and follow him. She sees a man fitting her idea of a hero and follows him. All kinds of things happen when the man confronts Bailey. His name is Parker and he really is her hero.
I won't say anymore. It was your typical romance novel for the beach. It is simple. light fare and no thinking required.

[Judine Brey · Rating 3 out of 5]

I loved the concept of Bailey being a romance novelist who needs help with her hero, which causes her to "stalk" Parker. The fact that Bailey had two previous engagements fall through made her conflict with Parker feel legitimate. I liked how Parker then used romance novel techniques to win her over. All that said, I had to check the character names because the story was more memorable than they were.

[Holly · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book took me a minute to get into. I still had trouble focusing on reading it as I went along. I still loved the plot and the characters. I felt this was a different approach and although I found reading about an author writing somewhat boring, I also found it a little educational. How does an author come up with their characters? are they typically based on real people? How do they come up with their plots? Is that also based on real life?

[Shelby · Rating 5 out of 5]

A book about an aspiring romance writer is having trouble writing about her MMC until she meets the guy who is just like him on the subway 🤔 GENIUS!

I wasn’t sure how much I’d like this book, but sure enough, Debbie proved me wrong again.

I loved the banter between Parker and Bailey 😍
Telling her they should kiss for research for her novel 😍
Calling her out for denying she has feelings 😍
Then him calling her out and saying she in love with him 😍

[hungrybookworm.reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

“That’s why I enjoy romance novels so much. They give me encouragement, they’re fun—and they tell me it’s okay to believe in love, even for the second time. Or the third.”

A charming story to read. A lot of angst and frustration but compelling enough to want the characters to find true happiness.

[Lea Carter · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed the premise of a romance author who struggled to find true love, but for all the sparks, the story didn't deliver on the relationship development.
I don't think they even knew each other's favorite colors or teams or politics. And her character flat-lined on the subject of throwing money (that she didn't have) at things.

[Trena Stewart]

What a fun story to read! I loved the way the hero was introduced into this book and the sheer embarrassment of the main character when he discovers what she is up to, but then the story takes a twist due to the fact that he is intrigued by her and decides to follow up on her ways. The way the story unfolds is so cute. I really enjoyed this story.

[Deborah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hero as a writer see it

For a writer not to see the love of her life & not know how to release the past is mind boggling . I love the way he catches her finally. I recommend this book to the romantic at heart & soul.

[Maryam · Rating 5 out of 5]

AMAZING! the plot was amazing and the characters superb, recommend for people who don't usually read romance but want to start and for avid readers and wannabe authors (like me!) Such a refreshing romance ♡

[Lis Sigona · Rating 5 out of 5]

There is a person who hasn’t dreamed about finding their special someone - that one person that will be their hero! Rescues them from such doldrums of mundane living and with larger than life dreams share happiness and mega-watt sunshine sunshine and stories to fill up a lifetime of happiness!

[Kathy · Rating 2 out of 5]

Listened to this in a combo with Marriage Wanted. I kept listening because I had paid for the audiobook. But I was more annoyed by the characters, especially the women, than I was enthralled. Not a fan.

[Brooke · Rating 1 out of 5]

I bought this book on a whim but I wish I had saved my money. It was dull. Bailey has no real personality and has a love at first sight encounter, supposedly as a model for the male character in her book. She became obsessed very quickly and that's where I stopped. I didn't even meet the guy.

[Joanne · Rating 2 out of 5]

Very predictable and unrealistic.

[Juanita Swinehart · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love all of Debbie Macomber books.

Debbie Macomber's books always are good books with no bad language. I love to read her books. This book was really heart warming.

[Becky Coleman-marion · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was a cute fast read, especially since I could pick it up and put it down. It didn't grip me though, and so I was a bit disappointed with the excitement level.

[Ashley Meyer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Eh. Was ok.

[Phyllis Ferrier · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book great author

[Beverly Grooman · Rating 2 out of 5]

Hero

Very poor plot and I would not refer this book to any one. It is not worth the time it took to read

[Mary Sewell · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not as interesting to me as some of her books. A little tedious wading through for lack of a better description.

[Di Schlenk · Rating 5 out of 5]

When divorce lawyer bumps into wedding planner, sparks fly!

[Pamela Stroebel Powers · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute romantic story but overly predictable and I just couldn't buy into the lead male character... just never drew me in to make me not want to put it down.

[Mom · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hallmark movie. Two stories in one book, basically the same story twice. Good thing it is a quick read.

[Sue Perkinson Hawkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was so good, I read it in one day

[Deb Jordan]

Very Good!