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My Heart's Undoing
Colleen had been in love with Erik Johansen for as long as she could remember. And now, in just forty-eight hours, her green-eyed Viking was getting married to another woman, a beautiful model -- her own cousin.
But when her cousin left him stranded at the altar, Colleen was there to pick up the pieces. She knew Erik had always thought of her as a little sister, but this night he needed her. And she had never stopped needing him. In one night of unforgettable passion, their lives were inextricably joined. But suddenly Colleen had a decision to make. Could Erik learn to return her love, or was she tied forever to a man she would never really possess?
But when her cousin left him stranded at the altar, Colleen was there to pick up the pieces. She knew Erik had always thought of her as a little sister, but this night he needed her. And she had never stopped needing him. In one night of unforgettable passion, their lives were inextricably joined. But suddenly Colleen had a decision to make. Could Erik learn to return her love, or was she tied forever to a man she would never really possess?
256 pages, Paperback
First published February 1, 1986
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
January 15, 2024
Colleen, a 24 year old boutique owner was secretly in love with her older brother's best friend, Erik 34. Six months earlier he started taking her out with the inevitable good night kisses and a few sessions of making out.
Three months into the dating, Brett,28,Colleen's cousin, a model, came back in town and ignited a passion in Erik that made him forget everything but his desire for the tall, beautiful model who was spoilt and willful and believed that everything she wanted was hers for the taking.
Although Erik had dumped Colleen they remained friends.
Now we are two days away from Erik's and Brett's wedding day.
That day Brett informed Colleen that she had been offered a very important modelling assignment and she was calling off the wedding to pursue it. Erik, she said,would get over it.
She assigned Colleen to break the news to Erik and departed for New York.
Colleen told Erik at his wedding rehearsal. Brett's desertion was a shattering blow to him.
Concerned Colleen followed him home where he proceeded drowning his sorrow in alcohol.
Colleen tried to comfort him and they ended up spending the night together.
They met again a month later where he learned of Colleen's pregnancy.
He felt guilty for messing up her life.
They got married and were getting along great but Brett kept intruding his thoughts and he knew that he could never give Colleen his deep love, the kind he felt for Brett.
Colleen miscarried.
Erik was supportive of her but she was feeling guilty. She knew he didn't love her, that he had marry her for the baby's sake and now that there was no child there was also no reason to stay married.
She loved him and wanted to give him his freedom. She wanted him happy.
He made a lot of fuss when he was told and accused her of wanting to desert him as well.
Colleen tried to explain that she loved him and only did it because she thought that's what he wanted.
One day Brett entered Colleen's boutique. She accused her of moving on her man the minute she turned her back and she was now determined to reclaim what she gave up.
Erik was thrown off balance when Brett visited him at his office and couldn't help but think of the way things used to be between them.
Brett started plotting accidental meetings with Erik, fabricating reasons to have lunches and drinks with him in out of the way locations and Erik was letting it happen, balming his bruised ego.
He was feeling guilty and started snapping and sulking at home.
He knew he had no right to take his frustrations over Brett out on Colleen.
He'd been in love with Brett and it wasn't easy to shrug off emotions like that.
He did not want her back and he cared a lot for Colleen but it would take a little time to work Brett out of his system.
Colleen couldn't help but be suspicious and her anguish was tearing her apart.
She decided to visit him at his office that day but he wasn't in. His secretary told her the place he was dining and arriving there she saw him and across from him was Brett and they were holding hands on top of the table.
The look of guilt on his face left no room for doubt.
She fled but he caught up with her and drove her home.
He told her about the "accidental " meetings with Brett. About Brett getting involved with a married associate of his and how she would seek him out regularly to ask for advice and him feeling protective of her obliged.
Again, that day, he said, Brett called him and sounded desperate so they met for lunch but the meetings were innocent on his part.
He felt a lingering sense of responsibility for Brett even though now was not love.
He did not want or need another woman, he had all he could handle right there at home.
That night they made love and Erik told her he loved her. He had wasted a lot of time fighting it but it was a losing battle.
Six weeks later Colleen found out she was pregnant and she was jubilant.
She was to reveal her pregnancy to her husband that night over a candlelight dinner.
He did not return home.
Sha had called everybody, asking to no avail. In the end she called Brett and received no answer.
Were Erik and Brett together?
At last she received a call from the Hospital. Erik had suffered burns on his hands and was sedated.
Brett and him were rescued that evening.
At the Hospital she learnt that the couple were in a cabin in a secluded area when the fire broke out.
The first thing Erik did when he opened his eyes at the Hospital was to call for Brett.
Colleen, broken hearted walked out of the Hospital.
In the next few days relatives were urging her to visit as he was frantically asking for her.
In the end Erik escaped from the Hospital and came to her. He said Brett was in the cabin with her married lover but they fought and he left her there in the middle of nowhere.
She called Erik for help but there was a storm and they were stranded and then the fire started.
He loved Colleen, how could she think he'd want Brett when he had her?
This plot reminds me of the song by Garth Brooks "Unanswered prayers " as well as the movie by the same title, based on the song.
Three months into the dating, Brett,28,Colleen's cousin, a model, came back in town and ignited a passion in Erik that made him forget everything but his desire for the tall, beautiful model who was spoilt and willful and believed that everything she wanted was hers for the taking.
Although Erik had dumped Colleen they remained friends.
Now we are two days away from Erik's and Brett's wedding day.
That day Brett informed Colleen that she had been offered a very important modelling assignment and she was calling off the wedding to pursue it. Erik, she said,would get over it.
She assigned Colleen to break the news to Erik and departed for New York.
Colleen told Erik at his wedding rehearsal. Brett's desertion was a shattering blow to him.
Concerned Colleen followed him home where he proceeded drowning his sorrow in alcohol.
Colleen tried to comfort him and they ended up spending the night together.
They met again a month later where he learned of Colleen's pregnancy.
He felt guilty for messing up her life.
They got married and were getting along great but Brett kept intruding his thoughts and he knew that he could never give Colleen his deep love, the kind he felt for Brett.
Colleen miscarried.
Erik was supportive of her but she was feeling guilty. She knew he didn't love her, that he had marry her for the baby's sake and now that there was no child there was also no reason to stay married.
She loved him and wanted to give him his freedom. She wanted him happy.
He made a lot of fuss when he was told and accused her of wanting to desert him as well.
Colleen tried to explain that she loved him and only did it because she thought that's what he wanted.
One day Brett entered Colleen's boutique. She accused her of moving on her man the minute she turned her back and she was now determined to reclaim what she gave up.
Erik was thrown off balance when Brett visited him at his office and couldn't help but think of the way things used to be between them.
Brett started plotting accidental meetings with Erik, fabricating reasons to have lunches and drinks with him in out of the way locations and Erik was letting it happen, balming his bruised ego.
He was feeling guilty and started snapping and sulking at home.
He knew he had no right to take his frustrations over Brett out on Colleen.
He'd been in love with Brett and it wasn't easy to shrug off emotions like that.
He did not want her back and he cared a lot for Colleen but it would take a little time to work Brett out of his system.
Colleen couldn't help but be suspicious and her anguish was tearing her apart.
She decided to visit him at his office that day but he wasn't in. His secretary told her the place he was dining and arriving there she saw him and across from him was Brett and they were holding hands on top of the table.
The look of guilt on his face left no room for doubt.
She fled but he caught up with her and drove her home.
He told her about the "accidental " meetings with Brett. About Brett getting involved with a married associate of his and how she would seek him out regularly to ask for advice and him feeling protective of her obliged.
Again, that day, he said, Brett called him and sounded desperate so they met for lunch but the meetings were innocent on his part.
He felt a lingering sense of responsibility for Brett even though now was not love.
He did not want or need another woman, he had all he could handle right there at home.
That night they made love and Erik told her he loved her. He had wasted a lot of time fighting it but it was a losing battle.
Six weeks later Colleen found out she was pregnant and she was jubilant.
She was to reveal her pregnancy to her husband that night over a candlelight dinner.
He did not return home.
Sha had called everybody, asking to no avail. In the end she called Brett and received no answer.
Were Erik and Brett together?
At last she received a call from the Hospital. Erik had suffered burns on his hands and was sedated.
Brett and him were rescued that evening.
At the Hospital she learnt that the couple were in a cabin in a secluded area when the fire broke out.
The first thing Erik did when he opened his eyes at the Hospital was to call for Brett.
Colleen, broken hearted walked out of the Hospital.
In the next few days relatives were urging her to visit as he was frantically asking for her.
In the end Erik escaped from the Hospital and came to her. He said Brett was in the cabin with her married lover but they fought and he left her there in the middle of nowhere.
She called Erik for help but there was a storm and they were stranded and then the fire started.
He loved Colleen, how could she think he'd want Brett when he had her?
This plot reminds me of the song by Garth Brooks "Unanswered prayers " as well as the movie by the same title, based on the song.
December 17, 2015
What a frustrating read was "My Heart's Undoing” by Phyllis Halldorson. This one was definitely filled with lots of anguish.
Colleen had been in in love with Erik for years, but as she stood in her more beautiful cousin’s shadow, Erik had no interest in her. They had briefly dated in the past, but Erik dumped her when he met her much more sophisticated (read: slutty) cousin, Brett.
Despite the disinterest, Colleen hangs on like an attached puppy, Erik’s friend to the end. When Brett calls off their wedding at the last minute for a promising modeling career miles away, Colleen is there to help Erik pick up the pieces. He gets drunk and they fall into beds together. Naturally, Colleen is a virgin and--naturally—gets pregnant.
Despite the complications this will make in the family, Erik proposes and the two settle into a marriage filled with lots of love: Collen’s love for Erik and Erik’s love for Colleen’s cousin.
I wanted to throttle both the hero and the heroine at times: the hero for being so stupidly infatuated with such a worthless woman, ignoring a very wonderful woman right before him, and the heroine for being such a prideless hang dog.
Still, this book had its angsty moments which made for a diverting read, particularly towards the end, when things come to a crazy head.
3 stars
Colleen had been in in love with Erik for years, but as she stood in her more beautiful cousin’s shadow, Erik had no interest in her. They had briefly dated in the past, but Erik dumped her when he met her much more sophisticated (read: slutty) cousin, Brett.
Despite the disinterest, Colleen hangs on like an attached puppy, Erik’s friend to the end. When Brett calls off their wedding at the last minute for a promising modeling career miles away, Colleen is there to help Erik pick up the pieces. He gets drunk and they fall into beds together. Naturally, Colleen is a virgin and--naturally—gets pregnant.
Despite the complications this will make in the family, Erik proposes and the two settle into a marriage filled with lots of love: Collen’s love for Erik and Erik’s love for Colleen’s cousin.
I wanted to throttle both the hero and the heroine at times: the hero for being so stupidly infatuated with such a worthless woman, ignoring a very wonderful woman right before him, and the heroine for being such a prideless hang dog.
Still, this book had its angsty moments which made for a diverting read, particularly towards the end, when things come to a crazy head.
3 stars
March 24, 2021
I’d saved this in my “library” and have no idea why because it’s not a happy book.
Nice Colleen has loved Erik since she was 8.
Colleen and Erik start “going together” when she graduates from college.
Then Erik meets her cousin Brett and he’s madly, blindly in love with Brett from that point on. He proposes marriage to Brett and turns himself inside out on her command.
Brett, a selfish narcissist, dumps Erik for her career the day of their wedding rehearsal.
Erik has a rebound drunken one-night stand with Colleen and she gets pregnant.
Erik marries Colleen but very descriptively fantasizes about beautiful Brett walking down the aisle toward him during the wedding!! And he keeps thinking about Brett throughout the book...
Erik and Colleen may have stood a chance (she’s actually the good wife and mother type) but then Brett comes back. Brett manipulates ‘accidental’ meetings, lunches, and finally a very black moment event with Erik. And Erik, of course, goes along with all of it. He remains at Brett’s beck and call throughout the entire book, and there’s no scene indicating that will stop.
Erik does stay with pregnant Colleen at the end of the book, but he never shows a fraction of the love he’s had for Brett. There’s zero doubt that if Brett stays in town, Erik will wind up in a physical affair with Brett (I’d say he remained in an emotional one all along). Doormat Colleen will be home cleaning the house and making dinner for the kids.
As a romance, the real passionate love was Erik’s for Brett, and his ‘I love you’ to pregnant Colleen at the end was weak, not believable, and more of a ‘doing the honorable thing’ — he was settling and everyone involved knows it.
Nice Colleen has loved Erik since she was 8.
Colleen and Erik start “going together” when she graduates from college.
Then Erik meets her cousin Brett and he’s madly, blindly in love with Brett from that point on. He proposes marriage to Brett and turns himself inside out on her command.
Brett, a selfish narcissist, dumps Erik for her career the day of their wedding rehearsal.
Erik has a rebound drunken one-night stand with Colleen and she gets pregnant.
Erik marries Colleen but very descriptively fantasizes about beautiful Brett walking down the aisle toward him during the wedding!! And he keeps thinking about Brett throughout the book...
Erik and Colleen may have stood a chance (she’s actually the good wife and mother type) but then Brett comes back. Brett manipulates ‘accidental’ meetings, lunches, and finally a very black moment event with Erik. And Erik, of course, goes along with all of it. He remains at Brett’s beck and call throughout the entire book, and there’s no scene indicating that will stop.
Erik does stay with pregnant Colleen at the end of the book, but he never shows a fraction of the love he’s had for Brett. There’s zero doubt that if Brett stays in town, Erik will wind up in a physical affair with Brett (I’d say he remained in an emotional one all along). Doormat Colleen will be home cleaning the house and making dinner for the kids.
As a romance, the real passionate love was Erik’s for Brett, and his ‘I love you’ to pregnant Colleen at the end was weak, not believable, and more of a ‘doing the honorable thing’ — he was settling and everyone involved knows it.
avoid
April 27, 2023Cheating H
Pathetic doormat, 2nd best h.
Avoid.
Pathetic doormat, 2nd best h.
Avoid.
August 26, 2014
I actually don't like this book all too well but I gave it at least two stars because it was memorable enough to make me want to read it again. I first read this book well over ten years ago and since I didn't remember hating it I thought "Hey, maybe I should read it again". The book is still memorable but more to the fact of what I think it is a selfish pathetic attempt to keep a man who may not really want to be with you but feels honored bound to stay with you.
I could go on a rant about what is wrong with trying to force someone to stay with you but it would go off the subject of the book. I would give a summary of the book also but I would also go on a tangent on how stupid both/all the characters are. I can't even think of who I would recommend this book too. I don't even think of it even being romantic. So I decided I would write a summary of the characters so I don't end up having as many rants.
Colleen - (stupid)Naive virgin who gives herself to the man she loves when he is drunk because the woman he loved left him the day before their wedding. Got pregnant and marries Erik because she loves him and he feels honor bound to marry her but does not love her passionately as a man should love his wife. Losses the baby, tried to do the right thing and giving Erik his freedom, the one real redeeming point of her in the book I think. When Brett comes back thinks the only way to hold Erik to her and make him stay with her is to have his babies since she knows how much he loved Brett. GREAT IDEA Bring children into a one sided love marriage! Who cares if he loves someone else he will be stuck with me because of the kids! I will be happy because I love him, who cares if he loves someone else! I will make him love me! Yeah, *beeping* retarded *beep*! Don't be surprised when he has an affair. Of course, being a romance book it doesn't end up that way but in real life it does. Sorry for the tangent. Finds out Erik and Brett were together, though at the time didn't realize it wasn't because there were having an affair, decides she is going to leave him and both their families and never tell them she is again pregnant. She couldn't have what she wanted so she wasn't going to tell him about the baby at all and end up depriving everyone else because of it. Yeah, selfish much??
Brett - Selfish, self-centered, materialistic, egotistical model who is Colleen's cousin and the woman Erik loves/loved. She leaves Erik for a modeling contract but then gets fired from it because she is too old. She came back and said she was going to take Erik back from Colleen. I really don't understand that part added into the story because she didn't purse Erik at all after she met his married business acquaintance. Yes, it may have been added to increase the fear Colleen would have of Erik leaving her for Brett but since nothing of the sort panned out it seemed pointless. All Brett had to do was just be there.
Erik - He's a pretty worthless and just as no lovable as everyone else. He takes his best friend's little sister's virginity while he is mourning his love for another woman and gets her pregnant. Marries her because he feels honor bound but doesn't love her. But hey! that is okay because he really does enjoy his time with her between the sheets. After Colleen tries to give him his freedom you can say he pretty much used the anger he got when Brett dumped him and used it on Colleen. Then when they go shopping for furniture he asks to get twin size beds so he can learn to live without her. It amazes me how often he can push her away and tell her he can't love her because of Brett but always seems to be able to get around her by sex. Sex is a big part of a relationship but no matter how great it is if the rest of the relationship is poop it isn't going to keep it together. So Brett comes back and to help feed his ego he keeps seeing her behind Colleen's back. Who cares when Colleen finds out! I may feel sorry about it later but right now it makes ME feel good!! So of course when Colleen finds out she thinks they are having an affair. No surprise there. Though I know that it as part of the "plot" of the story I will always think that is is even more retarded that when Erik left a message at the her shop when he was going to get Brett that it wasn't more detailed other than letting her know he called. Including the fact that EVERYONE would believe he was having an affair with Brett, it would have also made sense if he told his brother-in-law also. Maybe something like "Hey, I can't get a hold of Colleen but can you tell her ......" That would be the best way to cover your butt. I understand you may not want to involve other people but considering what a jerk you have been, it would be better to cover all your bases.
So in short, this book is full of stupid, shallow, selfish idiots but memorable enough.
I could go on a rant about what is wrong with trying to force someone to stay with you but it would go off the subject of the book. I would give a summary of the book also but I would also go on a tangent on how stupid both/all the characters are. I can't even think of who I would recommend this book too. I don't even think of it even being romantic. So I decided I would write a summary of the characters so I don't end up having as many rants.
Colleen - (stupid)Naive virgin who gives herself to the man she loves when he is drunk because the woman he loved left him the day before their wedding. Got pregnant and marries Erik because she loves him and he feels honor bound to marry her but does not love her passionately as a man should love his wife. Losses the baby, tried to do the right thing and giving Erik his freedom, the one real redeeming point of her in the book I think. When Brett comes back thinks the only way to hold Erik to her and make him stay with her is to have his babies since she knows how much he loved Brett. GREAT IDEA Bring children into a one sided love marriage! Who cares if he loves someone else he will be stuck with me because of the kids! I will be happy because I love him, who cares if he loves someone else! I will make him love me! Yeah, *beeping* retarded *beep*! Don't be surprised when he has an affair. Of course, being a romance book it doesn't end up that way but in real life it does. Sorry for the tangent. Finds out Erik and Brett were together, though at the time didn't realize it wasn't because there were having an affair, decides she is going to leave him and both their families and never tell them she is again pregnant. She couldn't have what she wanted so she wasn't going to tell him about the baby at all and end up depriving everyone else because of it. Yeah, selfish much??
Brett - Selfish, self-centered, materialistic, egotistical model who is Colleen's cousin and the woman Erik loves/loved. She leaves Erik for a modeling contract but then gets fired from it because she is too old. She came back and said she was going to take Erik back from Colleen. I really don't understand that part added into the story because she didn't purse Erik at all after she met his married business acquaintance. Yes, it may have been added to increase the fear Colleen would have of Erik leaving her for Brett but since nothing of the sort panned out it seemed pointless. All Brett had to do was just be there.
Erik - He's a pretty worthless and just as no lovable as everyone else. He takes his best friend's little sister's virginity while he is mourning his love for another woman and gets her pregnant. Marries her because he feels honor bound but doesn't love her. But hey! that is okay because he really does enjoy his time with her between the sheets. After Colleen tries to give him his freedom you can say he pretty much used the anger he got when Brett dumped him and used it on Colleen. Then when they go shopping for furniture he asks to get twin size beds so he can learn to live without her. It amazes me how often he can push her away and tell her he can't love her because of Brett but always seems to be able to get around her by sex. Sex is a big part of a relationship but no matter how great it is if the rest of the relationship is poop it isn't going to keep it together. So Brett comes back and to help feed his ego he keeps seeing her behind Colleen's back. Who cares when Colleen finds out! I may feel sorry about it later but right now it makes ME feel good!! So of course when Colleen finds out she thinks they are having an affair. No surprise there. Though I know that it as part of the "plot" of the story I will always think that is is even more retarded that when Erik left a message at the her shop when he was going to get Brett that it wasn't more detailed other than letting her know he called. Including the fact that EVERYONE would believe he was having an affair with Brett, it would have also made sense if he told his brother-in-law also. Maybe something like "Hey, I can't get a hold of Colleen but can you tell her ......" That would be the best way to cover your butt. I understand you may not want to involve other people but considering what a jerk you have been, it would be better to cover all your bases.
So in short, this book is full of stupid, shallow, selfish idiots but memorable enough.
December 18, 2025
A cute older Silhouette Romance written pretty modern for its time (1986)
Both main characters were a bit silly but likeable. There was the normal drama with the OW and overprotective older brother and the silliness caused when communication is lacking.
It was an interesting journey to read as they worked their way to their HEA.
Also surprisingly it was quite spicey for its time.
Both main characters were a bit silly but likeable. There was the normal drama with the OW and overprotective older brother and the silliness caused when communication is lacking.
It was an interesting journey to read as they worked their way to their HEA.
Also surprisingly it was quite spicey for its time.
January 26, 2014
One of the best classic novel of the 80's...
Incomparable!!!
I don't now why it has a very poor rating but this novel is one of a few that lingered in my memory!
Incomparable!!!
I don't now why it has a very poor rating but this novel is one of a few that lingered in my memory!
November 24, 2019
I honestly don't know how to rate this book, or even review it. The beginning was an angst filled whopper of a start and it fizzled out with h so in love, she would do anything to be with the H. Her 'I'll love him till he starts to love me' was a level of desperation so pitiful that no matter how the author packages it, it turned the stomach. She come's off as self deluded. She does later on find her limit but it's when she already thinks he doesn't want her anymore. There's even an acknowledgement that maybe subconciously the h was trying to trap the H when the opportunity presented itself.
Even when she offers him an out, she's kicking herself for his misunderstanding her motives. Really? What about his past actions with her! She only needed to remember he already threw her over for ow once before, yet this fact is pretty much ignored by our self deluded heroine. The H is crazy in love with the ow at the beginning and his actions didn't convince of the development of a similar love for the h even at the end. The ow still had a hold on him, the h was second choice. This is addressed by the H in the last page or so with the most weak assed explanation ever. Yeh, not convincing.
What a disappointing romance when the start promised angst galore the way it gripped me by the throat. No rating for the moment, I have to think about this. - edit. I decided on 2.5* just becuase 3* 'liked it' seems overstated and yet there's more to this that just a 2* ok.
Even when she offers him an out, she's kicking herself for his misunderstanding her motives. Really? What about his past actions with her! She only needed to remember he already threw her over for ow once before, yet this fact is pretty much ignored by our self deluded heroine. The H is crazy in love with the ow at the beginning and his actions didn't convince of the development of a similar love for the h even at the end. The ow still had a hold on him, the h was second choice. This is addressed by the H in the last page or so with the most weak assed explanation ever. Yeh, not convincing.
What a disappointing romance when the start promised angst galore the way it gripped me by the throat. No rating for the moment, I have to think about this. - edit. I decided on 2.5* just becuase 3* 'liked it' seems overstated and yet there's more to this that just a 2* ok.
January 11, 2012
I REALLY liked this book. I wanted to hit Erik several times and Im still not satisfied for his explanations but I did stay up all night to read this and it was just my thing. I do wish he had said more about why he dropped Colleen in the first place- sorry but one sentence just didnt cut it for me. Also he says something about how can he be tempted by Brett when he has Colleen- well there was one of the meetings afer she came back that he didnt dare touch her. I took that to mean that he didnt trust himself to touch her or he didnt trust her to not try something. I do like how he said it was an ego trip.. Like I said there were several times I wanted to smack Erik but I loved him the most out of this book I think. He was so strong but just went to mush when Colleen threatened to leave. (although Im thinking he might have a drinking problem) Definitely recommended
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 17, 2024
This one was pretty good, and I liked the h, because she was the girl-next-door type, who was sweet and good natured, but didn't come across as a Mary Sue. She was gentle when she wanted to be and strong when she needed to be, without going overboard either way.
The H could sometimes get on my nerves. It's understandable he'd be hurt by what happened (no one wants to get dumped right before their wedding) but this guy should have known the OW (the h's cousin) wasn't right for him. Their outlooks on life were too different. He appreciated money and success, but they weren't the "be all and end all" they were to the OW. And for a man who wanted a family, how could he want to marry a woman who made it clear motherhood wasn't for her? (Did he think she'd change her mind? Shows how TSTL he could be.)
The scene where he wrecks the apartment they were supposed to have moved into (with furnishings she picked out, that he didn't even like) in a drunken tirade shows how reckless and childish he can be. It also shows how much of a simp he was willing to be for the OW, letting her take charge of everything, for the privilege of having her in his bed. Any bets on how long that marriage would have lasted, once he came out of the passion fog???
This story had a bit of a twist, as the H was the best friend of the h's older brother, and the h had been in love with him ever since she was a teenager, while he thought of her as just his friend's kid sister, until he took a second look when she reached her 20's and they started dating. It wasn't clear if they broke up when the OW came back home (the story takes place around Detroit; the OW was a fashion model in New York) or if they were already broken up before, but there was never much said about this, how they both felt (even the h, who was in love with him, but how hurt she might have been is never mentioned much) or how awkward it was (and it must have been) when he starts dating and then plans to marry her cousin.
It's revealed later that the H had conflicting emotions about the h, wanting to see her as a woman, feeling very attracted to her, yet still thinking of her as his friend's kid sister and feeling he'd be overstepping bounds if he got too physical. So, I guess because of that, he found it easy to break things off. Still, there should have been more emotion and unresolved feelings about the whole thing.
When her wanting to comfort him after he was so blindsided results in her getting pregnant, that (and the fact that she had been a virgin) made him do the right thing and marry her. After that, the story's about how they make their marriage work, when it didn't get off to the best start. She wanted him to love her the way she loved him, while he wasn't sure he believed in romantic love anymore, wasn't convinced she felt that way about him and swore all he could offer was a "love" based on fondness and gratitude, with strong sexual desire to keep things exciting. (Once they were married, he felt free to unleash the passion he felt for her.) Meanwhile, she worried that once the passion died down, the rest wouldn't be enough for him.
There's a lot to contend with, especially a big misunderstanding, after she miscarries and offers him his freedom, knowing he only married her because of the baby. He, meanwhile, assumed that was the only reason she married him and now didn't want him anymore, when nothing was farther from the truth! She may not have handled it well when she brought up divorce, but he went overboard in thinking she didn't care, plotting to himself to lull her into a false sense of security in case she had planned to walk out, and then he'd be the one to leave, because he wasn't going to get dumped twice! No, nothing came of that, but it shows how over-the-top his thinking could be. For a time, he even thinks she was more interested in his money (he got a promotion with a large salary increase) and started buying expensive things as a means of hanging onto her (when she couldn't have card less about material things), because he didn't want to lose her, yet kept telling himself he wasn't in love with her, he'd never let himself feel that again, etc.! After a time, you just wanted to shake this guy, then maybe toss him out a window, big athlete that he was!
When the OW comes back on the scene, she causes trouble, but not in the conventional way (though she did threaten that at first). She keeps turning to the H for advice on the new man in her life (a married senator) and he (dealing with some residual feelings) keeps making friendly "dates" with her, which he doesn't tell the h about, of course!
There's quite a lot of melodrama at the end, and things get said and worked out that should have been said and worked out before. (There are also a bunch of interfering relatives that don't help matters any.)
It's a pretty good story, but still a flawed one.
The H could sometimes get on my nerves. It's understandable he'd be hurt by what happened (no one wants to get dumped right before their wedding) but this guy should have known the OW (the h's cousin) wasn't right for him. Their outlooks on life were too different. He appreciated money and success, but they weren't the "be all and end all" they were to the OW. And for a man who wanted a family, how could he want to marry a woman who made it clear motherhood wasn't for her? (Did he think she'd change her mind? Shows how TSTL he could be.)
The scene where he wrecks the apartment they were supposed to have moved into (with furnishings she picked out, that he didn't even like) in a drunken tirade shows how reckless and childish he can be. It also shows how much of a simp he was willing to be for the OW, letting her take charge of everything, for the privilege of having her in his bed. Any bets on how long that marriage would have lasted, once he came out of the passion fog???
This story had a bit of a twist, as the H was the best friend of the h's older brother, and the h had been in love with him ever since she was a teenager, while he thought of her as just his friend's kid sister, until he took a second look when she reached her 20's and they started dating. It wasn't clear if they broke up when the OW came back home (the story takes place around Detroit; the OW was a fashion model in New York) or if they were already broken up before, but there was never much said about this, how they both felt (even the h, who was in love with him, but how hurt she might have been is never mentioned much) or how awkward it was (and it must have been) when he starts dating and then plans to marry her cousin.
It's revealed later that the H had conflicting emotions about the h, wanting to see her as a woman, feeling very attracted to her, yet still thinking of her as his friend's kid sister and feeling he'd be overstepping bounds if he got too physical. So, I guess because of that, he found it easy to break things off. Still, there should have been more emotion and unresolved feelings about the whole thing.
When her wanting to comfort him after he was so blindsided results in her getting pregnant, that (and the fact that she had been a virgin) made him do the right thing and marry her. After that, the story's about how they make their marriage work, when it didn't get off to the best start. She wanted him to love her the way she loved him, while he wasn't sure he believed in romantic love anymore, wasn't convinced she felt that way about him and swore all he could offer was a "love" based on fondness and gratitude, with strong sexual desire to keep things exciting. (Once they were married, he felt free to unleash the passion he felt for her.) Meanwhile, she worried that once the passion died down, the rest wouldn't be enough for him.
There's a lot to contend with, especially a big misunderstanding, after she miscarries and offers him his freedom, knowing he only married her because of the baby. He, meanwhile, assumed that was the only reason she married him and now didn't want him anymore, when nothing was farther from the truth! She may not have handled it well when she brought up divorce, but he went overboard in thinking she didn't care, plotting to himself to lull her into a false sense of security in case she had planned to walk out, and then he'd be the one to leave, because he wasn't going to get dumped twice! No, nothing came of that, but it shows how over-the-top his thinking could be. For a time, he even thinks she was more interested in his money (he got a promotion with a large salary increase) and started buying expensive things as a means of hanging onto her (when she couldn't have card less about material things), because he didn't want to lose her, yet kept telling himself he wasn't in love with her, he'd never let himself feel that again, etc.! After a time, you just wanted to shake this guy, then maybe toss him out a window, big athlete that he was!
When the OW comes back on the scene, she causes trouble, but not in the conventional way (though she did threaten that at first). She keeps turning to the H for advice on the new man in her life (a married senator) and he (dealing with some residual feelings) keeps making friendly "dates" with her, which he doesn't tell the h about, of course!
There's quite a lot of melodrama at the end, and things get said and worked out that should have been said and worked out before. (There are also a bunch of interfering relatives that don't help matters any.)
It's a pretty good story, but still a flawed one.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 1, 2025
Inherited from Grandma. Oh my gosh I wanted to slap the main characters. What absolute idiots. Coleen need a whole cup of self respect juice. And Erik was just ugh. Also the angst was like basically the same angsty over and over. The Colleen loved Erik so much but Erik loves (ie lusts) Brett. Oof brutal
July 24, 2023
This book should be named how to be a dumb spinless doormat 101 and remain that way your whole life and be the object of constant foot-wipe for your emotional abuser.
Thankyou. Next!
Thankyou. Next!
November 17, 2023
Old reads
October 23, 2025
⭐ Rating: 3/10
Finally finished it after months of sitting in my TBR list. I honestly don’t know why I always get weak for stories like this, angst just pulls me in no matter what. But let’s get back to the book.🍿🍿
I had high hopes for Callon, but the more I read, the more it felt like her love for Erik wasn’t romantic at all, it was motherly. The way she pampered him, calmed him down by putting his head on her chest… all of it screamed mom energy, not wife energy.
And seriously, she forgave him way too easily, multiple times!
• First time: when he threw a tantrum after she mentioned divorce. Girl, he’s 34, not 4! I’d have snapped right then.
• Second time: when Brett came back. Erik’s behavior was disgusting and pathetic. Brett literally spit on him on their wedding day and disappeared, yet the moment she reappeared, he turned into a jealous mess and kept her secrets like some teenage fool.
• Third time: after Callon caught them, Erik acted like a toddler again, and of course, Callon pampered him. I swear, I was waiting for her to start burping him like a baby.
• Fourth time: don’t even get me started. I don’t care if Brett was “stuck in the middle of nowhere” she’s got a whole family, call them, not your ex. And Erik saying he just “felt protective”? Please. You’re married, dude. You don’t get to feel anything for another woman except your wife, mother, sister, or daughter.
Callon, girl, are you okay? What kind of married life is this? Her brother was right all along, Erik was never good for her. I’d have slapped him when he called out Brett’s name at the hospital. The audacity!
Brett’s presence in the book was so minimal that she felt irrelevant, but Erik’s stupidity was loud enough for both of them. Honestly, the author should’ve punished him which she didn't at all, like making him permanently bald after the fire. He didn’t even grovel properly or at all!
Sure, I see a future for Callon and Erik, but not a happy one. The moment the fire in their marriage dies out, everything good will burn with it. Good luck, Callon, you’ll need it.
As for Erik… I wouldn’t wish him as a husband even on my worst enemy. He’s not even beta material, he’s a donkey.🤡🤡
Finally finished it after months of sitting in my TBR list. I honestly don’t know why I always get weak for stories like this, angst just pulls me in no matter what. But let’s get back to the book.🍿🍿
I had high hopes for Callon, but the more I read, the more it felt like her love for Erik wasn’t romantic at all, it was motherly. The way she pampered him, calmed him down by putting his head on her chest… all of it screamed mom energy, not wife energy.
And seriously, she forgave him way too easily, multiple times!
• First time: when he threw a tantrum after she mentioned divorce. Girl, he’s 34, not 4! I’d have snapped right then.
• Second time: when Brett came back. Erik’s behavior was disgusting and pathetic. Brett literally spit on him on their wedding day and disappeared, yet the moment she reappeared, he turned into a jealous mess and kept her secrets like some teenage fool.
• Third time: after Callon caught them, Erik acted like a toddler again, and of course, Callon pampered him. I swear, I was waiting for her to start burping him like a baby.
• Fourth time: don’t even get me started. I don’t care if Brett was “stuck in the middle of nowhere” she’s got a whole family, call them, not your ex. And Erik saying he just “felt protective”? Please. You’re married, dude. You don’t get to feel anything for another woman except your wife, mother, sister, or daughter.
Callon, girl, are you okay? What kind of married life is this? Her brother was right all along, Erik was never good for her. I’d have slapped him when he called out Brett’s name at the hospital. The audacity!
Brett’s presence in the book was so minimal that she felt irrelevant, but Erik’s stupidity was loud enough for both of them. Honestly, the author should’ve punished him which she didn't at all, like making him permanently bald after the fire. He didn’t even grovel properly or at all!
Sure, I see a future for Callon and Erik, but not a happy one. The moment the fire in their marriage dies out, everything good will burn with it. Good luck, Callon, you’ll need it.
As for Erik… I wouldn’t wish him as a husband even on my worst enemy. He’s not even beta material, he’s a donkey.🤡🤡
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 3, 2025
2nd read: Enjoyed it much more. I had more empathy toward the heroine and her attitude. The hero was dating her before her cousin slipped in and stole him away. The hero and heroine falling into bed after the cousin's contemptible rejection of her fiancé gave the heroine that open door of comfort. Why it's not a 5 for me is the hero's attitude that seemed a touch too whiney and melodramatic for a guy. But all in all a great angsty read!
Nice angsty story, but a few things that just didn't bring it for me. First, her reasonings to sleep with the hero the night of the hero's wedding break up spelled desperate with a capital D. She lulled him into it. It just made the continuing story weak for me because the heroine was so spineless and actually selfish. Then the hero bravely marrying the heroine upon pregnancy discovery cause he's a good guy, but still infatuated with his bitch of an ex-fiancé, making loose excuses for continuing to see her after she blew into town. Normally I love this shit, but the heroine was so mousy that I wasn't fighting for her. Then the finale when he went to "rescue" the bitch. It felt so contrived, all of the lack of communication that went with it. Maybe I will read it again and see it differently.
Nice angsty story, but a few things that just didn't bring it for me. First, her reasonings to sleep with the hero the night of the hero's wedding break up spelled desperate with a capital D. She lulled him into it. It just made the continuing story weak for me because the heroine was so spineless and actually selfish. Then the hero bravely marrying the heroine upon pregnancy discovery cause he's a good guy, but still infatuated with his bitch of an ex-fiancé, making loose excuses for continuing to see her after she blew into town. Normally I love this shit, but the heroine was so mousy that I wasn't fighting for her. Then the finale when he went to "rescue" the bitch. It felt so contrived, all of the lack of communication that went with it. Maybe I will read it again and see it differently.
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