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Home in Seattle: The Playboy and the Widow / Fallen Angel
Love in the Emerald City…
The Playboy and the Widow
She's a widow, practical and down-to-earth, living in Seattle with her two kids. He's a wealthy man who's always been attractive to women….
Diana Collins is put off by Cliff Howard's playboy reputation—but finds herself falling for him. More surprising, perhaps, is the fact that her daughters are crazy about him. And most surprising of all, Cliff Howard is changing his views about the kind of woman he could love. Ready-made family and all!
Fallen Angel
Amy Johnson is firmly anchored in Seattle, working as an executive for her father's oil company. Josh Powell is a self-described drifter, a man who's never called any place home. A man who's rejected the world of money and power…
When they meet, Amy begins to question her own future. Does she really want to give up her long-standing—and long-hidden—desire to be part of a family, to love a man and raise a family with him? Josh, too, questions his life. Maybe it's time to stop running from his past—and to share his future with Amy.
The Playboy and the Widow
She's a widow, practical and down-to-earth, living in Seattle with her two kids. He's a wealthy man who's always been attractive to women….
Diana Collins is put off by Cliff Howard's playboy reputation—but finds herself falling for him. More surprising, perhaps, is the fact that her daughters are crazy about him. And most surprising of all, Cliff Howard is changing his views about the kind of woman he could love. Ready-made family and all!
Fallen Angel
Amy Johnson is firmly anchored in Seattle, working as an executive for her father's oil company. Josh Powell is a self-described drifter, a man who's never called any place home. A man who's rejected the world of money and power…
When they meet, Amy begins to question her own future. Does she really want to give up her long-standing—and long-hidden—desire to be part of a family, to love a man and raise a family with him? Josh, too, questions his life. Maybe it's time to stop running from his past—and to share his future with Amy.
490 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1990
13 people are currently reading
736 people want to read
About the author
Debbie Macomber
917 books20.7k followersDebbie 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.
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.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 55 reviews
October 19, 2025
2.5 stars 🌟
February 28, 2015
i love how she has a two in one book stories. the first story was okay it was a bit of you know whats going to happen. i enjoyed the second one alot i would of hoped for Debbie would of done it a full story it would be a hell of a good one, but i liked the fallen angel alot and i like how they stayed together but then again i couldn't see them apart with anyone else.
January 10, 2019
I loved this book!! Loved all the stories in the book!! Love this author's books!!
March 31, 2020
More romantic drama than her newer novels, but both stories still had great endings.
May 7, 2015
This book is actually two stories in one and I have just finished reading the first story called the Playboy and the widow. I give this story 2 out of 5 stars. The main male character was completely immature and lacked understanding through most of the story. I am so glad this author's writing has improved over the years. The story was written in 1988 and according to the author she updated the story in 2014. The updates fall very flat and do not fit in very well. I think she would have been better off leaving the story as originally written. She includes the use of iPads, laptops, and the Internet but there is not a single cell phone used. In fact when the people receive phone calls they have to go into another room or to another floor of the house to pick up an extension. They do not even have cordless phones. also there is an 11 year old girl who loves Justin Bieber and Katy Perry but has Justin Timberlake posters on her bedroom walls and talks about Phil Collins and U2 as being music she likes. I guess she could just be a very unusual 11 year old girl. there is also a mention of the main male character wearing blue jeans with a buckled belt and a cut off sweatshirt that was at the beginning of the story and it took me a very long time to get the image out of my head. It was so out of date.
I just finished the second book fallen angel and I have to say that I'm really glad to be done with these two books. They weren't horrible and they work great. The second book started off interesting but it didn't stay that way.
I just finished the second book fallen angel and I have to say that I'm really glad to be done with these two books. They weren't horrible and they work great. The second book started off interesting but it didn't stay that way.
November 8, 2015
I'm a little disappointed. I bought this collection (can 2 stories make up a collection?) because it was just published, and I like the "famous person falls for regular person" types of stories. Open it up to find out that the original stories were written very early in the author's career. So the writing is not very sophisticated (even by romance standards). I will probably struggle on, but already the book is violating my personal 2 person romance rule. There has to be more than 2 people in the story, and the author has to be able to have more than 2 people "in the room" at the same time. If you can't handle dialog with at least 3 people at the same time, I don't want to waste my time reading your work. At least the first story in this book is very close to violating both rules. *sigh*
The 2nd story is even worse. I don't like any of the characters, don't like the setting, (Seattle is ok, it's corporate America I don't care for). Finally gave up on 2nd story, skipped ahead enough to see where things went. The end.
Like I said, I'm disappointed. I'd give negative stars if I could.
The 2nd story is even worse. I don't like any of the characters, don't like the setting, (Seattle is ok, it's corporate America I don't care for). Finally gave up on 2nd story, skipped ahead enough to see where things went. The end.
Like I said, I'm disappointed. I'd give negative stars if I could.
February 27, 2015
Ugh. This was painful to read; I only finished it because my mom gave it to me for Christmas. Obviously, one of her earlier works, this compilation didn't have the delightful plots or better developed character that her Blossom Street books have. I found both plots and characters one dimensional and predictable. Even the details of the narrative were heavy handed and unnecessary. Both romances left me wanting more than just the physical attraction between the protagonists - it reminded me too much of Twilight - and convenient resolutions. Overall, just ugh.
May 8, 2015
The idea for this book seemed cute enough but turned super corny and unbearable quick. The main characters act like immature teenagers, not grown ups. This whole book was painful to read, the characters irritating and not very likable and just plain absurd.
June 3, 2017
Liked the first book best.
The ipod did not fit into the first story and Joan (oldest dau, 11y) was portrayed too old for her age. A few disconnects .. and had 2 skim 2nd story as it never fully engaged me.
The ipod did not fit into the first story and Joan (oldest dau, 11y) was portrayed too old for her age. A few disconnects .. and had 2 skim 2nd story as it never fully engaged me.
November 6, 2017
I usually like her books but found the second book “ Fallen Angel” the worst I have ever read of hers. It was originally published in 1990 so I am assuming she has improved over the years.
June 12, 2025
So far I have only read the first story, “The Playboy and the Widow.” Written in 1988 and supposedly updated and rewrapped in 2014. This shouldn’t have been updated. At the very least it really needed 2 editors to make sure stuff was updated.
Updated in 2014 and we still have the following:
Panty hose and age restrictions to wear them. Like what?
A man wearing a cutoff/cropped sweatshirt. Because in 2014 I don’t remember straight men wearing these. Maybe the bodybuilding gym rats? Weird.
No cell phones! Huh? 2014 update and not one person has a cell phone. Oh, but an iPad pops onto the scene later in the story.
The music artists mentioned in this story are all over the place.
The story was less cringe knowing it was written in the ancient times of ‘88. It is beyond cringy when it’s “updated” yet still outdated.
Beyond all of that nonsense the plot is terrible and execution takes it to downright horrendous. What a shame because this could have been a good story. It’s just bad writing. The characters aren’t really likeable. Maybe the kids, but even then they are annoying. Joan the 11 yr old is written as a 15-18 yr old girl. At one point she talks about luring boys by swaying her hips to hook them. Eww she’s supposed to be 11! The 8yr old daughter Katie at one point asks Cliff how her mother tastes after Cliff kisses Diana. Barf. WTH?!
On that disgusting note on to the second story, “Fallen Angel.”
Alright, I finished this one. It’s better, but barely. Amy is 23, turns 24 during story, and Josh is, I don’t know, 30ish. Agree with others the title is stupid and should have been something else more relevant. This dragged out a bit too long for me. Josh and Amy’s back and forth made me grow weary.
I don’t recommend either of these stories to anyone, even Macomber fans.
Updated in 2014 and we still have the following:
Panty hose and age restrictions to wear them. Like what?
A man wearing a cutoff/cropped sweatshirt. Because in 2014 I don’t remember straight men wearing these. Maybe the bodybuilding gym rats? Weird.
No cell phones! Huh? 2014 update and not one person has a cell phone. Oh, but an iPad pops onto the scene later in the story.
The music artists mentioned in this story are all over the place.
The story was less cringe knowing it was written in the ancient times of ‘88. It is beyond cringy when it’s “updated” yet still outdated.
Beyond all of that nonsense the plot is terrible and execution takes it to downright horrendous. What a shame because this could have been a good story. It’s just bad writing. The characters aren’t really likeable. Maybe the kids, but even then they are annoying. Joan the 11 yr old is written as a 15-18 yr old girl. At one point she talks about luring boys by swaying her hips to hook them. Eww she’s supposed to be 11! The 8yr old daughter Katie at one point asks Cliff how her mother tastes after Cliff kisses Diana. Barf. WTH?!
On that disgusting note on to the second story, “Fallen Angel.”
Alright, I finished this one. It’s better, but barely. Amy is 23, turns 24 during story, and Josh is, I don’t know, 30ish. Agree with others the title is stupid and should have been something else more relevant. This dragged out a bit too long for me. Josh and Amy’s back and forth made me grow weary.
I don’t recommend either of these stories to anyone, even Macomber fans.
July 21, 2019
This was two books.
The first book, The Playboy and the Widow, was incredibly annoying to read. Diana repeatedly wants to talk about their relationship because she doesn't want to have premarital sex. Well, she actually DOES want to but won't. OMG you are an adult who has been married before. Apparently this was first written in 1988 (hence the cut off T-shirt on Cliff with the belly showing - ugh). But it was rewritten in 2014 so it is very hard to take Diana seriously. The kids saved it from being horrible. If the issue of premarital sex and beating it to death with repeated "conversations" had not been included it would have been a very good book.
The second book, Fallen Angel, was similar. The title, by the way, should be Angel Eyes. In this book our hero was annoying as hell. Josh did not want to get involved with a woman. Why? For a reason that had nothing at all to do with women so it made absolutely no sense. This too could have been a good book without that ridiculous plot line.
The first book, The Playboy and the Widow, was incredibly annoying to read. Diana repeatedly wants to talk about their relationship because she doesn't want to have premarital sex. Well, she actually DOES want to but won't. OMG you are an adult who has been married before. Apparently this was first written in 1988 (hence the cut off T-shirt on Cliff with the belly showing - ugh). But it was rewritten in 2014 so it is very hard to take Diana seriously. The kids saved it from being horrible. If the issue of premarital sex and beating it to death with repeated "conversations" had not been included it would have been a very good book.
The second book, Fallen Angel, was similar. The title, by the way, should be Angel Eyes. In this book our hero was annoying as hell. Josh did not want to get involved with a woman. Why? For a reason that had nothing at all to do with women so it made absolutely no sense. This too could have been a good book without that ridiculous plot line.
August 9, 2020
I've been reading Debbie Macomber books for over 20 + years. Really like some of her series. I have given most of her recent books that I have read 5*
The first story was written in 1988, It was an okay read. I think her more recent books have definitely improved over this one.
The second book written in 1990...I could not get into at all. I didn't even finish it. It was the first book ever that I read written by Debbie Macomber that I could not finish. Sorry Debbie!
The first story was written in 1988, It was an okay read. I think her more recent books have definitely improved over this one.
The second book written in 1990...I could not get into at all. I didn't even finish it. It was the first book ever that I read written by Debbie Macomber that I could not finish. Sorry Debbie!
September 27, 2017
Both of these stories were good.
August 28, 2018
the first one was a little slow and not my favorite, but the second one was much better. Good mindless romances.
October 16, 2018
It was a good story
February 28, 2019
nice easy love stories
June 25, 2019
I like Debbie Macomber. Romance, human interaction. Always a good story and strong women.
Good beach read.
Good beach read.
November 5, 2019
Nice lite read
August 21, 2020
These books were pretty good. There for awhile it was dry but it turned out great reading. I love reading Debbie's books.
October 21, 2020
Easy read, entertaining
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 12, 2021
Easy Read. Typical Debbie MacComber which are always good stories
September 5, 2021
I loved both stories I could not put these down. So suspenseful. One of my favorite authors.
August 7, 2022
A little bit outdated but an ok summer read.
Read
September 18, 2022Very good 👍
May 14, 2023
Decent stories.
June 23, 2023
This book contains two stories. The first was completely new to me and I really enjoyed it. The second was a reread and I don't think it improved with age. The heroine was just too ridiculous.
July 25, 2024
written early in her writing career. Not that great.
November 16, 2024
Didn't enjoy these all that much. How many times do these characters go back and forth, they love each other, no they don't, yes they do, etc. Exhausting, not my typical enjoyment of DM books.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 55 reviews