Sweet Stubborn Love: Luring a Lady / Falling for Rachel

by Nora Roberts

Join the Stanislaski siblings for two classic stories of sweet and stubborn love.

Luring a Lady
Nothing in Sydney Hayward’s background of wealth and privilege had prepared her to take the helm of her grandfather’s business. Her new responsibilities leave no time for complications. Sydney has learned the hard way that she can't trust anyone, but her tenant, Mikhail, is hard to resist. Down-to-earth yet stubborn, he comes from a world utterly different from her own. She doesn’t have room in her life for romance, but Mikhail seems to know exactly how to win her over—one smoldering kiss at a time.

Falling for Rachel
Lawyer Rachel Stanislaski is assigned to watch over teenage delinquent Nicholas LeBeck, and the last thing she needs is Nick’s hotheaded stepbrother storming into her courtroom. Zack Muldoon is protective and stubborn, but whether he likes it or not, he needs Rachel’s help—both to keep Nick out of trouble and to reconnect with him. Rachel knows the importance of a family bond, but she hasn’t considered what excitement—or complications—a blossoming romance could add to their agreement. Zack and Rachel’s chemistry is hard to ignore, and the two could be falling for each other faster than they realize.

Genres: Romance

432 pages, Paperback

Published March 11, 2025

About the author

Nora Roberts is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of more than 200 novels, including Hideaway, Under Currents, Come Sundown, The Awakening, Legacy, and coming in November 2021 -- The Becoming -- the second book in The Dragon Heart Legacy. She is also the author of the futuristic suspense In Death series written under the pen name J.D. Robb. There are more than 500 million copies of her books in print.

Reviews

[Nathalie Parsons · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a 2 in 1 book. Luring a lady was the first book. It started off a bit slow for me. I did end up enjoying it due to the Stanislaski family. They have this warmth about them. The first book didn’t really grab me though with the chemistry between Sydney and Mikhail. The second book, Falling for Rachel was much better. I felt the chemistry and the story had more weight. I actually wished the second book was longer.

[Sandi Pearce · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’ll start by saying these stories were written in the 90s.
What was expected then isn’t quite the same as now when writing female characters. And having said that, the ladies in the series are still pretty kick-ass.

Again, take into account these were Silhouette pocket book romances, so nobody should be reading this and writing deep theories on life.

Having said all that? I really enjoy them. Nora Roberts is a master of her craft, and these were the roots.
She is great at stringing together stories that give us the true love tales for a family or group.

I’d already read one of these and will definitely finish the run as quick fun reads. Does my husband act like the men in these books?? Ha - hell no, and most don’t I’m sure. That’s why millions of women buy these books! Me included ;)

[Renee Primeau · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have gotten away from the romance genre and this didn’t really encourage me to return to it. It is 2 books in 1 so a good value and it’s easy reading but that’s really the most it has going for it. I didn’t like how the men were pushy and intimidating and I really didn’t like how that seemed to be what attracted the women to the men. I also couldn’t find a plausible obstacle for why the couples would end up together so there really wasn’t any will they won’t they. But definitely a quick and easy escape read if that’s what you’re after.

[Rebecca Selias · Rating 2 out of 5]

Didn’t realize this was a two story book but the first one was good. The second one I couldn’t get through. Really not a huge fan of her new writing style. It’s so cringey.

[Ellen Brenner · Rating 3 out of 5]

I needed a book that I didn’t have to think but could just follow the story and its romance.

[Joan M. · Rating 2 out of 5]

Two books in one. Adequate romance with some sizzle. An acceptable beach read.

[Marie · Rating 1 out of 5]

Agree with some other reviews....too cringy to even finish reading.

[Tammy · Rating 5 out of 5]

These love stories were an excellent read.