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The Rawhide Man
IT WAS A MARRIAGE OF CONVENIENCE…
But convenient for whom? Jude Langston had practically kidnapped Bess White and brought her to his San Antonio ranch. It wasn't that he'd wanted her so desperately�he didn't even like Bess. No, Jude's cool green eyes were firmly fixed on the shares of his company that she'd inherited.
Bess had always thought of Jude as the Rawhide Man�lean and rough. But then she discovered he could also be unexpectedly gentle, and it devastated her. For as much as she fought it, Jude had captured her heart. Yet how could she stay in a marriage that was so much less than such a union should be?
192 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 1984
157 people are currently reading
456 people want to read
About the author
Diana Palmer
1,039 books3,097 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name.
Diana Palmer is a pseudonym for author Susan Kyle.
(1)romance author
Susan Eloise Spaeth was born on 11 December 1946 in Cuthbert, Georgia, USA. She was the eldest daughter of Maggie Eloise Cliatt, a nurse and also journalist, and William Olin Spaeth, a college professor. Her mother was part of the women's liberation movement many years before it became fashionable. Her best friends are her mother and her sister, Dannis Spaeth (Cole), who now has two daughters, Amanda Belle Hofstetter and Maggie and lives in Utah. Susan grew up reading Zane Grey and fell in love with cowboys. Susan is a former newspaper reporter, with sixteen years experience on both daily and weekly newspapers. Since 1972, she has been married to James Kyle and have since settled down in Cornelia, Georgia, where she started to write romance novels. Susan and her husband have one son, Blayne Edward, born in 1980.
She began selling romances in 1979 as Diana Palmer. She also used the pseudonyms Diana Blayne and Katy Currie, and her married name: Susan Kyle. Now, she has over 40 million copies of her books in print, which have been translated and published around the world. She is listed in numerous publications, including Contemporary Authors by Gale Research, Inc., Twentieth Century Romance and Historical Writers by St. James Press, The Writers Directory by St. James Press, the International Who's Who of Authors and Writers by Meirose Press, Ltd., and Love's Leading Ladies by Kathryn Falk. Her awards include seven Waldenbooks national sales awards, four B. Dalton national sales awards, two Bookrak national sales awards, a Lifetime Achievement Award for series storytelling from Romantic Times, several Affaire de Coeur awards, and two regional RWA awards.
Inspired by her husband, who quit a blue-collar manufacturing job to return to school and get his diploma in computer programming, Susan herself went back to college as a day student at the age of 45. In 1995, she graduated summa cum laude from Piedmont College, Demorest, GA, with a major in history and a double minor in archaeology and Spanish. She was named to two honor societies (the Torch Club and Alpha Chi), and was named to the National Dean's List. In addition to her writing projects, she is currently working on her master's degree in history at California State University. She hopes to specialize in Native American studies. She is a member of the Native American Rights Fund, the American Museum of Natural History, the National Cattlemen's Association, the Archaeological Institute of Amenca, the Planetary Society, The Georgia Conservancy, the Georgia Sheriff's Association, and numerous conservation and charitable organizations. Her hobbies include gardening, archaeology, anthropology, iguanas, astronomy and music.
In 1998, her husband retired from his own computer business and now pursues skeet shooting medals in local, state, national and international competition. They love riding around and looking at the countryside, watching sci-fi on TV and at the movies, just talking and eating out.
Diana Palmer is a pseudonym for author Susan Kyle.
(1)romance author
Susan Eloise Spaeth was born on 11 December 1946 in Cuthbert, Georgia, USA. She was the eldest daughter of Maggie Eloise Cliatt, a nurse and also journalist, and William Olin Spaeth, a college professor. Her mother was part of the women's liberation movement many years before it became fashionable. Her best friends are her mother and her sister, Dannis Spaeth (Cole), who now has two daughters, Amanda Belle Hofstetter and Maggie and lives in Utah. Susan grew up reading Zane Grey and fell in love with cowboys. Susan is a former newspaper reporter, with sixteen years experience on both daily and weekly newspapers. Since 1972, she has been married to James Kyle and have since settled down in Cornelia, Georgia, where she started to write romance novels. Susan and her husband have one son, Blayne Edward, born in 1980.
She began selling romances in 1979 as Diana Palmer. She also used the pseudonyms Diana Blayne and Katy Currie, and her married name: Susan Kyle. Now, she has over 40 million copies of her books in print, which have been translated and published around the world. She is listed in numerous publications, including Contemporary Authors by Gale Research, Inc., Twentieth Century Romance and Historical Writers by St. James Press, The Writers Directory by St. James Press, the International Who's Who of Authors and Writers by Meirose Press, Ltd., and Love's Leading Ladies by Kathryn Falk. Her awards include seven Waldenbooks national sales awards, four B. Dalton national sales awards, two Bookrak national sales awards, a Lifetime Achievement Award for series storytelling from Romantic Times, several Affaire de Coeur awards, and two regional RWA awards.
Inspired by her husband, who quit a blue-collar manufacturing job to return to school and get his diploma in computer programming, Susan herself went back to college as a day student at the age of 45. In 1995, she graduated summa cum laude from Piedmont College, Demorest, GA, with a major in history and a double minor in archaeology and Spanish. She was named to two honor societies (the Torch Club and Alpha Chi), and was named to the National Dean's List. In addition to her writing projects, she is currently working on her master's degree in history at California State University. She hopes to specialize in Native American studies. She is a member of the Native American Rights Fund, the American Museum of Natural History, the National Cattlemen's Association, the Archaeological Institute of Amenca, the Planetary Society, The Georgia Conservancy, the Georgia Sheriff's Association, and numerous conservation and charitable organizations. Her hobbies include gardening, archaeology, anthropology, iguanas, astronomy and music.
In 1998, her husband retired from his own computer business and now pursues skeet shooting medals in local, state, national and international competition. They love riding around and looking at the countryside, watching sci-fi on TV and at the movies, just talking and eating out.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 76 reviews
September 7, 2020
I would bet a $100 that DP just finished reading a Rosemary Rogers book right before she started this nightmare. Even by DP hero standards he is awful, and she’s no prize. He gives her NO sympathy when he sees her just two days after her mother’s death. He won’t let his daughter call her mother. He doesn’t want to fool with Christmas and never has despite his daughter being ten. He makes fun of the heroine for her virginity, her small breasts…
First:
He’s mean as a snake.
She’s a stupid doormat.
Then:
She’s as cold as ice.
He’s a regretful, self-pitying H.
Toss in a selfish step-sister that is caught kissing the H because she doesn’t know how else to express her gratitude. Guess she never heard of Hallmark.
First:
He’s mean as a snake.
She’s a stupid doormat.
Then:
She’s as cold as ice.
He’s a regretful, self-pitying H.
Toss in a selfish step-sister that is caught kissing the H because she doesn’t know how else to express her gratitude. Guess she never heard of Hallmark.
June 19, 2017
Cruel mean nasty hero
I really didn't like this book. I read it but I just hated the hero. He was a jerk. And Crystal the step sister was a piece of work. If my little sister got anywhere near my husband's lips I would really miss her because she would be dead. You don't kiss a married man on the lips unless you have a funeral plan in place. Ever! And the h was such a doormat and says "oh, okay you were just happy and stuck your tongue down his throat. Okay. Whew I thought it meant something when you kissed a man like that. Nevermind that is okay as long as you didn't mean it. " Really??? My sister would be lucky to still have a tongue. I just hated the whole premise. And the cruel things he said to her was just awful. I would have divorced him and taken him for everything. And the final nail in the coffin, his thick masculine hairy chest. Just say no. Gross. I think I threw up in my mouth a little. No way. Goodnight romance!!!
I really didn't like this book. I read it but I just hated the hero. He was a jerk. And Crystal the step sister was a piece of work. If my little sister got anywhere near my husband's lips I would really miss her because she would be dead. You don't kiss a married man on the lips unless you have a funeral plan in place. Ever! And the h was such a doormat and says "oh, okay you were just happy and stuck your tongue down his throat. Okay. Whew I thought it meant something when you kissed a man like that. Nevermind that is okay as long as you didn't mean it. " Really??? My sister would be lucky to still have a tongue. I just hated the whole premise. And the cruel things he said to her was just awful. I would have divorced him and taken him for everything. And the final nail in the coffin, his thick masculine hairy chest. Just say no. Gross. I think I threw up in my mouth a little. No way. Goodnight romance!!!
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January 5, 2021I need to write reviews for every Diana Palmer I read. It's not enough to give it a one-star rating, because I accidentally started to re-read this one and remembered that .
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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July 1, 2021I don't think I can rate this book.
It's all very very wrong. I understand that DP loves her heroes a bit rough and tough, but we have something else here.
This man kidnaps the heroine and forces her to marry him because he wants her shares of his company.
That's his minor fault.
He is an abusive man, he sistematically shames her, demeans her and belittle her, his continuous body shaming is disturbing, he demeans her as a woman and as a human being, repeatedly.
He compares her with her more beautiful sister, of course degrading her.
He has sex with her and afterwards, even if she was a virgin, he tells her he was starving for sex and she was available and any other woman would do.
He flirts with her stepsister kissing her twice on her lips.
He tells her it's all her faults if he abuses her. That she deserves it, that she's a cold, frigid, unattractive woman that no man could want.
That her breasts are too small, that she doesn't have social skills and can't have a man.
I hated this man, I hoped she asked for divorce and left him. It's not a matter of forgiving, it's survival, pure and simple.
DP made a big mistake here because there's a difference between a man who is rough and domestic abuse. This is domestic abuse, and it's very wrong and dangerous to remit it and dismiss it like it was because he cared too much for her and he tried to deny his love for her. This is the excuse that abusive husbands give when they beat, humiliate, demean their wives. They always says, afterwards, I'm sorry but it's your fault, it's you that take out the worst of me.
No, this is not acceptable.
Actually towards the end of the book I felt very upset, because the heroine was completely closed up and depressed, she couldn't even answer him. It was appalling. I was hoping that the hero died of a very sudden death, those things happens very often in romances.
Sadly not this time.
And her stepsister is not a bubbly girl, open and frendly like that as****e of husband tried to tell the heroine, no, she's just a complete narcissist, a woman who always stole all her sister's boyfriends because she wants all the attentions on her, and she even tried to take her husband, kissing him on the lips. She has no empathy at all and all is about her. And DP, who is very strict in her books so that her heroines reach their late twenties still virgin and utterly untouched, knows very well that a kiss on the lips in not innocent, especially when the man is married to another woman.
She tries to pass off an abusive sadist as an insecure man and a narcissist b**ch as a spoiled girl.
Maybe there are books where worse abusive and toxic relationships are described, but usually you are aware that these are toxic and disfunctional relationships.
Here the feeling is that it's normal and sane, even when there's apparent abuse.
The book was not boring, it was quick and the style is pleasant, but its content is toxic and dangerous.
I can't rate it because it would be 3 stars for the style but -100 for its content and how it's dealt with.
The book left me very upset and disappointed.
I can't even joke about it.
It's all very very wrong. I understand that DP loves her heroes a bit rough and tough, but we have something else here.
This man kidnaps the heroine and forces her to marry him because he wants her shares of his company.
That's his minor fault.
He is an abusive man, he sistematically shames her, demeans her and belittle her, his continuous body shaming is disturbing, he demeans her as a woman and as a human being, repeatedly.
He compares her with her more beautiful sister, of course degrading her.
He has sex with her and afterwards, even if she was a virgin, he tells her he was starving for sex and she was available and any other woman would do.
He flirts with her stepsister kissing her twice on her lips.
He tells her it's all her faults if he abuses her. That she deserves it, that she's a cold, frigid, unattractive woman that no man could want.
That her breasts are too small, that she doesn't have social skills and can't have a man.
I hated this man, I hoped she asked for divorce and left him. It's not a matter of forgiving, it's survival, pure and simple.
DP made a big mistake here because there's a difference between a man who is rough and domestic abuse. This is domestic abuse, and it's very wrong and dangerous to remit it and dismiss it like it was because he cared too much for her and he tried to deny his love for her. This is the excuse that abusive husbands give when they beat, humiliate, demean their wives. They always says, afterwards, I'm sorry but it's your fault, it's you that take out the worst of me.
No, this is not acceptable.
Actually towards the end of the book I felt very upset, because the heroine was completely closed up and depressed, she couldn't even answer him. It was appalling. I was hoping that the hero died of a very sudden death, those things happens very often in romances.
Sadly not this time.
And her stepsister is not a bubbly girl, open and frendly like that as****e of husband tried to tell the heroine, no, she's just a complete narcissist, a woman who always stole all her sister's boyfriends because she wants all the attentions on her, and she even tried to take her husband, kissing him on the lips. She has no empathy at all and all is about her. And DP, who is very strict in her books so that her heroines reach their late twenties still virgin and utterly untouched, knows very well that a kiss on the lips in not innocent, especially when the man is married to another woman.
She tries to pass off an abusive sadist as an insecure man and a narcissist b**ch as a spoiled girl.
Maybe there are books where worse abusive and toxic relationships are described, but usually you are aware that these are toxic and disfunctional relationships.
Here the feeling is that it's normal and sane, even when there's apparent abuse.
The book was not boring, it was quick and the style is pleasant, but its content is toxic and dangerous.
I can't rate it because it would be 3 stars for the style but -100 for its content and how it's dealt with.
The book left me very upset and disappointed.
I can't even joke about it.
April 4, 2016
This is a nice usual DP fare with a domineering asshat hero and a sweet southern belle in a moc situation with the h browbeaten into it rather than it being a mutual decision-not that she objected strongly!
But it lacked some certain something so that complete satisfaction was just out of reach.
I won’t go into much detail and only point out certain things. There are many good reviews here like the one by my friend Janie.
The H has the typical DP H’s blow-hot-blow-cold technique leaving the h emotionally and mentally reeling. Although I liked the h’s rare wiliness when she finally decides to stake a claim and seduce her boorish husband as the impending visit of her covetous sister looms over.
The book and it’s characters took a sudden 180 midway leaving you floundering and wondering if two different books were ripped and pasted back. The sneering hateful H turns soulful and wants to play happy house, the adoring h becomes mulishly unreceptive (to both of them) and the flighty grasping step-sis now turns all wide-hurt-eyes.
I also thought this sudden redeeming of the evil step-sis (and by contrast making the h look mean-spirited) by the author was a total copout and half the fun waiting for her comeuppance was lost. The sister had been greedy and uncaring for all of the last ten years and now she wants to be good friends?!
But it lacked some certain something so that complete satisfaction was just out of reach.
I won’t go into much detail and only point out certain things. There are many good reviews here like the one by my friend Janie.
The H has the typical DP H’s blow-hot-blow-cold technique leaving the h emotionally and mentally reeling. Although I liked the h’s rare wiliness when she finally decides to stake a claim and seduce her boorish husband as the impending visit of her covetous sister looms over.
The book and it’s characters took a sudden 180 midway leaving you floundering and wondering if two different books were ripped and pasted back. The sneering hateful H turns soulful and wants to play happy house, the adoring h becomes mulishly unreceptive (to both of them) and the flighty grasping step-sis now turns all wide-hurt-eyes.
I also thought this sudden redeeming of the evil step-sis (and by contrast making the h look mean-spirited) by the author was a total copout and half the fun waiting for her comeuppance was lost. The sister had been greedy and uncaring for all of the last ten years and now she wants to be good friends?!
October 31, 2018
“Tell the truth, woman, it won't hurt anything but your pride. What you have is what you want, what you need. Me!”
That’s the summary of the book. And both H & h were so awful, I was split between 1 or 5 stars, thus the average 3 stars.
That’s the summary of the book. And both H & h were so awful, I was split between 1 or 5 stars, thus the average 3 stars.
July 4, 2021
Reread 7/2/2021…. He still takes DP heroes to a new low. Maybe it’s me.
Diana Palmer writes about miserable men, this one is a particularly nasty piece of work. The premise for marriage is flawed, he needs voting rights on a block of stocks left to her. Give him the rights and walk away. He couldn’t even give lip service to her two days after her mother died and offer any type of condolences. His 10 year old daughter has never celebrated Christmas. He’s a grinch and an asshole.
When she’s had enough and starts freezing him out, he wants a real marriage... meet me half way. Right, why would anyone want to meet him anywhere. Then we add her stepsister to the mix. She’s bubbly and vivacious and apparently a tramp. Let’s use her to make the heroine jealous, it works too well, the ice princess shuts down completely.
Nasty confrontation after she finds them in a clinch and of course it was innocent *insert eye roll*, the stepsister is celebrating good news by kissing her sister’s husband... that’s normal. Fleeing the hot mess that is her life, she pitches down a flight of stairs. Ends up hospitalized and all comes out. The stepsister is leaving to marry her French Count, the husband has his I love only you moment and the heroine is pregnant. All is good in their world.
Whatever.
Diana Palmer writes about miserable men, this one is a particularly nasty piece of work. The premise for marriage is flawed, he needs voting rights on a block of stocks left to her. Give him the rights and walk away. He couldn’t even give lip service to her two days after her mother died and offer any type of condolences. His 10 year old daughter has never celebrated Christmas. He’s a grinch and an asshole.
When she’s had enough and starts freezing him out, he wants a real marriage... meet me half way. Right, why would anyone want to meet him anywhere. Then we add her stepsister to the mix. She’s bubbly and vivacious and apparently a tramp. Let’s use her to make the heroine jealous, it works too well, the ice princess shuts down completely.
Nasty confrontation after she finds them in a clinch and of course it was innocent *insert eye roll*, the stepsister is celebrating good news by kissing her sister’s husband... that’s normal. Fleeing the hot mess that is her life, she pitches down a flight of stairs. Ends up hospitalized and all comes out. The stepsister is leaving to marry her French Count, the husband has his I love only you moment and the heroine is pregnant. All is good in their world.
Whatever.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 12, 2015
Rating: 5 stars.
Rereading: August 12 2016
First read: June 2011
I really love Rawhide Man.
Bess, isn't a destitute damsel in distress like many of DP's heroines, but she was not spoiled and was quite down to earth. However, a doormat she is! Regardless I loved her. She loved Jude and suffered a forced marriage with him.
Jude, our hero, married Bess to take control of her shares, to become a majority shareholder. Throughout the whole book, he was an arse to Bess, and was even prancing around with Bess's stepsister Crystal.
Crystal, is a typical DP antagonist, beautiful, slender, fickle and money hungry. All of Bess’s life, Crystal has stolen what was rightfully hers. Money, jewellery, family heirlooms and now her husband’s attention, money and affection.
Don't get me started on this Jude and Crystal mess. Jude was waving Crystal in front of Bess like a red flag to bull. But did she take action? No, she did not! She soldiered on until she could take no more. Jude had never purchased Bess a ring, but he did buy Crystal (the b!tch) jewellery. Very expensive jewellery to be exact. When Jude eventually bought Bess a ring, he bought he her a cheap gemstone ring from a souvenir shop at a museum. Some great husband you are.
Doesn't this whole jewellery business all too familiar? .. *cough cough* Lawless, Judd and Tippy Moore.
I wish Bess could’ve made Jude and Crystal suffer. It was ridiculous, when Jude started to grovel. He kept suggesting that all of Bess’s jealousy and suspicion was unfounded. HOW WERE THEY UNFOUNDED. YOU WERE EVEN KISSING HER. ARE YOU KIDDING ME?!!!!!
I hated how easily Bess gave into Jude and how easily she forgave Crystal’s transgressions, recent and not so recently. Regardless, I love this book.
Rereading: August 12 2016
First read: June 2011
I really love Rawhide Man.
Bess, isn't a destitute damsel in distress like many of DP's heroines, but she was not spoiled and was quite down to earth. However, a doormat she is! Regardless I loved her. She loved Jude and suffered a forced marriage with him.
Jude, our hero, married Bess to take control of her shares, to become a majority shareholder. Throughout the whole book, he was an arse to Bess, and was even prancing around with Bess's stepsister Crystal.
Crystal, is a typical DP antagonist, beautiful, slender, fickle and money hungry. All of Bess’s life, Crystal has stolen what was rightfully hers. Money, jewellery, family heirlooms and now her husband’s attention, money and affection.
Don't get me started on this Jude and Crystal mess. Jude was waving Crystal in front of Bess like a red flag to bull. But did she take action? No, she did not! She soldiered on until she could take no more. Jude had never purchased Bess a ring, but he did buy Crystal (the b!tch) jewellery. Very expensive jewellery to be exact. When Jude eventually bought Bess a ring, he bought he her a cheap gemstone ring from a souvenir shop at a museum. Some great husband you are.
Doesn't this whole jewellery business all too familiar? .. *cough cough* Lawless, Judd and Tippy Moore.
I wish Bess could’ve made Jude and Crystal suffer. It was ridiculous, when Jude started to grovel. He kept suggesting that all of Bess’s jealousy and suspicion was unfounded. HOW WERE THEY UNFOUNDED. YOU WERE EVEN KISSING HER. ARE YOU KIDDING ME?!!!!!
I hated how easily Bess gave into Jude and how easily she forgave Crystal’s transgressions, recent and not so recently. Regardless, I love this book.
July 13, 2021
Jude marries Bess because he wanted to take control of her shares in a company, to become a majority shareholder. She doesn't have a choice and she agrees to be his wife. Also, she wants to be his wife because she loves his 6yo daughter and she knows the child needs a mother.
The whole book, Jude acted like an as***le to Bess. When Bess's stepsister Crystal comes into the picture, the heroine knows that if Crytal wants Jude, she will have him.
Crystal is beautiful and in all of Bess’s life, Crystal has stolen what was rightfully hers: jewelry, family heirlooms, boyfriends, and now her husband’s attention.
I hated her with a fiery passion: when she was picked up from the airport by her sister and her brother in law, she actually kisses the brother in law on the mouth, and after some days, she kisses him against, saying that she was grateful in the only way she knew how. Really? And the guy just stood there and smirked.
Diana Palmers has a problem with bitchy OW. They easily became friends with the h , and sometimes, they even get their own books * I hate that *.
The whole book, Jude acted like an as***le to Bess. When Bess's stepsister Crystal comes into the picture, the heroine knows that if Crytal wants Jude, she will have him.
Crystal is beautiful and in all of Bess’s life, Crystal has stolen what was rightfully hers: jewelry, family heirlooms, boyfriends, and now her husband’s attention.
I hated her with a fiery passion: when she was picked up from the airport by her sister and her brother in law, she actually kisses the brother in law on the mouth, and after some days, she kisses him against, saying that she was grateful in the only way she knew how. Really? And the guy just stood there and smirked.
Diana Palmers has a problem with bitchy OW. They easily became friends with the h , and sometimes, they even get their own books * I hate that *.
October 25, 2017
"The Rawhide Man" is the story of Jude and Bess.
Teenage enemies and remotely related by step-parents, Bess and Jude have always got on each other's nerves.
When Bess's mother dies and leaves her shares to her with the stipulation of marriage, Jude coerces *cough* blackmails her *cough* into marriage, because of the tendre Bess has for Jude's daughter Katy.
How Bess becomes a positive and motherly influence on Katy and the house, fights Jude head to head on his insane demands, demanded her rights forms the story. I liked that it was she who initiated the seduction, but as usual we had a douche hero who was going to spray all over the post coital bliss like a skunk.
However since this is a DP book, we did have a virgin heroine easily seduced by kisses, and a bitter hero and some likable, some shitty secondary characters.
The scenes and insecurity with the stepsister was a bit overdone, but I loved the sympathy we were made to feel for both parties eventually. That being said, I loved the awesome groveling and angst towards the last 1/4th.
Enjoyed this one!
Safe
4.25/5
Teenage enemies and remotely related by step-parents, Bess and Jude have always got on each other's nerves.
When Bess's mother dies and leaves her shares to her with the stipulation of marriage, Jude coerces *cough* blackmails her *cough* into marriage, because of the tendre Bess has for Jude's daughter Katy.
How Bess becomes a positive and motherly influence on Katy and the house, fights Jude head to head on his insane demands, demanded her rights forms the story. I liked that it was she who initiated the seduction, but as usual we had a douche hero who was going to spray all over the post coital bliss like a skunk.
However since this is a DP book, we did have a virgin heroine easily seduced by kisses, and a bitter hero and some likable, some shitty secondary characters.
The scenes and insecurity with the stepsister was a bit overdone, but I loved the sympathy we were made to feel for both parties eventually. That being said, I loved the awesome groveling and angst towards the last 1/4th.
Enjoyed this one!
Safe
4.25/5
August 27, 2014
Hero marries heroine in order to claim her oil shares, she marries him cause she adores his daughter but thanks to her stepsister and heroine's obsessive jealousy their marriage is a battlefield.
Loved the angst. Heroine was not your usual DP heroine. She got on my nerves so many times I wanted to slap her. Her insecurities and fears were unfounded and I don't know how hero put up with her. Still I loved the ending, the pregnancy, the accident and their declaration of love was swoon-worthy!
Loved the angst. Heroine was not your usual DP heroine. She got on my nerves so many times I wanted to slap her. Her insecurities and fears were unfounded and I don't know how hero put up with her. Still I loved the ending, the pregnancy, the accident and their declaration of love was swoon-worthy!
June 13, 2022
I keep going back and forth on how to rate this one. There was something in the end that didn’t work for me and I’m not feeling completely satisfied but there was so so so much that I loved about it too. I could not put it down and flew through it.
The chemistry in the beginning was so hot between the two of them! Their taunting each other and getting each other so worked up was delicious to read. I loved these fights that seemed to also end in her blushing or in some innuendo. There were so many moments where the H just snaps too, loooooved!! We even get a bodice ripping scene! 🤣😅🥵. And him taking her in the freezing cold because he has to have her! I loooove a H who is only desperate for the h and man he was soooo desperate for her. And that Christmas present, omggeeeee, swoon!!
I think everything was a little too fast though. I wanted to see more character development from the h. She’s very naive, very inexperienced, only 22 and still trying to find her place and who she is and I don’t think that DP did as good with her character growth in this one as she has with the h’s in past books. I wanted to see her grow into this strong confident secure woman.
The ending conflict was resolved too quickly as well too. The h has been bitter and closed off for the last 30% or so and after one heart to heart with the sister she’s putting it all behind her? After that whole *spoiler* thing too? Given their past history with men I would have liked to have seen this whole *spoiler* thing handled differently. This was very typical DP where she can’t decide if she wants the reader to hate the OW or like her. Personally I wanted to hate her but it was hard to. It bugged me that in their interactions the h is the one coming off badly. I loved the h and I wanted to love her in the end but the way it was written, that she was the one seeing things that weren’t there and she was the one being bitter, really bugged me.
I think given everything that happens I needed to have an epilogue. It would have gone a long way to soothe those parts that left me unsatisfied.
The chemistry in the beginning was so hot between the two of them! Their taunting each other and getting each other so worked up was delicious to read. I loved these fights that seemed to also end in her blushing or in some innuendo. There were so many moments where the H just snaps too, loooooved!! We even get a bodice ripping scene! 🤣😅🥵. And him taking her in the freezing cold because he has to have her! I loooove a H who is only desperate for the h and man he was soooo desperate for her. And that Christmas present, omggeeeee, swoon!!
I think everything was a little too fast though. I wanted to see more character development from the h. She’s very naive, very inexperienced, only 22 and still trying to find her place and who she is and I don’t think that DP did as good with her character growth in this one as she has with the h’s in past books. I wanted to see her grow into this strong confident secure woman.
The ending conflict was resolved too quickly as well too. The h has been bitter and closed off for the last 30% or so and after one heart to heart with the sister she’s putting it all behind her? After that whole *spoiler* thing too? Given their past history with men I would have liked to have seen this whole *spoiler* thing handled differently. This was very typical DP where she can’t decide if she wants the reader to hate the OW or like her. Personally I wanted to hate her but it was hard to. It bugged me that in their interactions the h is the one coming off badly. I loved the h and I wanted to love her in the end but the way it was written, that she was the one seeing things that weren’t there and she was the one being bitter, really bugged me.
I think given everything that happens I needed to have an epilogue. It would have gone a long way to soothe those parts that left me unsatisfied.
April 11, 2025
Tags: age-gaaap, cheating-hero, cowboy-rancher, cruel-cruel-hero, damaged-broken_hero, doormat_heroine, emotional-cheating, enemies-to-lovers, hero-has-kid-or-kids, hero-hurts-heroine, hero-loved-or-loves-ow, marriage-forced, military-exmilitary-romance, older-hero-younger-heroine, ow-drama, read, scarred-hero, troubled-marriage, unlikable-hero, unlikable-heroine, virgin-heroine
March 4, 2018
3.75 stars
It's so different reading the book twenty years back when it was first published and reading it now. I liked it immensely then, reading it again I find I still liked it, but I find my perspectives have changed which makes me look at the book differently. I found myself getting annoyed with both MC characters, Jude and Bess. Besides, the characters surprisingly do a full 180 degree turn in the book. Where Jude started off being an ass with his harshness and ruthlessness to a mellowed down, wanting their marriage to work, Bess went from a sweet, caring to a whiny, jealous woman. But then, I realized the reason for their unsavoury behaviour and stupidity was because both were highly insecure -- Jude, surprisingly, actually acknowledged he was stupid at one time.
Bess' insecurities stem from her virginal inhibitions and being overshadowed by her step-sister, who was beautiful, worldly and seductive, totally opposite of her, whereas Jude's insecurities stemmed from the scars left on his body from his military days from the time his fiancee, who was a society girl broke their engagement while he was in Vietnam and married someone else, even though she was carrying his child. Because of her, he's built walls around his heart. He hated the idea of marriage and he hated society women and Bess and her mother fell into that category. Now, Bess's mother has died and left the shares in the oil corporation that he's worked so hard for all his life to Bess and the only way he can get his hands on them is to marry Bess. So, he carries Bess off to his ranch so that he can marry her, hating her for making him do the one thing he'd vowed never to do - marry. Besides, Bess' cool poise and unflappable nature always irked him. Bess marries him because she loves his daughter, who is now ten years old, which I found very odd. The two had a massive row two years ago over the way Jude was raising Katy --like a guy instead of a girl-- and had kept away from each other ever since, Actually, something had changed between them when Bess was fifteen and lost in the woods and Jude had found her and brought her home. He was protective toward her.
Jude doesn't do anything to consummate the marriage, because he'd been clear the marriage was only for the shares, no emotions. He also didn't like the fact that she's turned his house upside down, doing things that he didn't like, like decorating the house for Christmas, having turkey dinner, changing the way Katy, dressed and talked, making her more feminine. She had allies in his own house in Katy and Aggie, his housekeeper -- loved the two, I think they were the only two sanest and grounded ones in the house.
Bess realizes that even though Jude grumbled and was grouchy, he wasn't as unapproachable, giving her the freedom to do as she pleased with his home and his daughter. And, even though, he kept his distance from her, she could see that he was attracted to her and wanted her as much she wanted him. It doesn't take her long to fall in love with him and it is she who initiates their lovemaking on the night of Christmas eve.
Jude tries to resist. "So untouched by ugliness and pain. I should have had enough humanity left to keep you away from me,"
And, it was a beautiful moment, but Jude hating her for tempting him and making him vulnerable turns into ass the following morning and says harsh words to her telling her that it was only sex and that she won't ever own him even if she'd conceived a child by their love-making. Thereafter there's a lot of tension between the two. They'd be taunting each other and I likes some of Bess' replies.
"Because I never realized how much it meant to Katy until now." He laughed shortly. "All this time she pretended that she didn't care. And I was too damned busy." He lifted his chin and studied her thoughtfully. "She shines like a new penny these days. You've got her heart in your pocket. Just don't set your at mine, lady."
"That frozen thing?" she asked with a calm she didn't feel. "Why should I want it?
"Shy?" he taunted. "There isn't an inch of you I don't know now."
"Oh, yes, there is," she replied, lifting her eyes. "My mind. And my heart. You don't know the first thing about either one."
After Jude's harsh words, Bess builds walls around her, but she was confused by Jude's actions which were contradictory to his words, She got to know for her Christmas gift he went to unbelievable lengths to trace the one thing she'd been longing for.
Then, while things are strained between them her step-sister, Crystal, visits. Before she even arrives, Bess, feels doomed because Crystal had always taken things from her before, but those were things Bess didn't mind losing, but she was now worried what if Crystal wanted Jude and this is where I got annoyed with Bess. Even before Crystal descended, she'd already conceded having lost her husband to her step-sister. And, with Crystal being outgoing and with Jude helping her with her financial issues, the two spent a lot of time together making Bess' jealousy escalate. Yet, instead of taking up on Jude's offer to meet him half-way and to restart their marriage, to make it work --"I had you in the palm of my hand once upon a time, Bess. What a pity that I was too damned stupid to realize what I was holding until it was too late."--- instead of finding ways to keep her sister away from the husband she loved, she would leave them alone to spend time together and preferred to sit in her room and stew on her jealousy imagining all the things they'd be doing. And, it irked me when she'd say "Yes, wherever my sister is," when he'd tell her you know where to find me or will the bed take three of us. If Jude hadn't insisted she goes, she would've backed out from visiting the Alamo site. He stayed by her side holding her right through as they looked around, and even urged her to buy something more expensive for herself than the inexpensive ring she chose, considering Crystal got him to buy an expensive jewellery for herself. I decided to blame pregnancy hormones for her behavior.
But then, things get worse when she finds her sister and Jude kissing and as she flees in her upset state she trips on the stairs and almost loses her baby. There's another explanation for that kissing scene, not what it looked like to Bess. I get that Jude was using Crystal to make Bess jealous and get her to react, and I'm also willing to grudgingly concede that having falling in love with her Frenchman has changed a callous, self-centred bitch like Crystal, but I don't get her kissing her step brother-in-law on the lips in her excitement.
Nevertheless, I liked the angst and the play of various emotions in this book. And, even though there was no epilogue, loved the end where Bess sheds off all inhibitions and goes to her husband while he's showering
It's so different reading the book twenty years back when it was first published and reading it now. I liked it immensely then, reading it again I find I still liked it, but I find my perspectives have changed which makes me look at the book differently. I found myself getting annoyed with both MC characters, Jude and Bess. Besides, the characters surprisingly do a full 180 degree turn in the book. Where Jude started off being an ass with his harshness and ruthlessness to a mellowed down, wanting their marriage to work, Bess went from a sweet, caring to a whiny, jealous woman. But then, I realized the reason for their unsavoury behaviour and stupidity was because both were highly insecure -- Jude, surprisingly, actually acknowledged he was stupid at one time.
Bess' insecurities stem from her virginal inhibitions and being overshadowed by her step-sister, who was beautiful, worldly and seductive, totally opposite of her, whereas Jude's insecurities stemmed from the scars left on his body from his military days from the time his fiancee, who was a society girl broke their engagement while he was in Vietnam and married someone else, even though she was carrying his child. Because of her, he's built walls around his heart. He hated the idea of marriage and he hated society women and Bess and her mother fell into that category. Now, Bess's mother has died and left the shares in the oil corporation that he's worked so hard for all his life to Bess and the only way he can get his hands on them is to marry Bess. So, he carries Bess off to his ranch so that he can marry her, hating her for making him do the one thing he'd vowed never to do - marry. Besides, Bess' cool poise and unflappable nature always irked him. Bess marries him because she loves his daughter, who is now ten years old, which I found very odd. The two had a massive row two years ago over the way Jude was raising Katy --like a guy instead of a girl-- and had kept away from each other ever since, Actually, something had changed between them when Bess was fifteen and lost in the woods and Jude had found her and brought her home. He was protective toward her.
Jude doesn't do anything to consummate the marriage, because he'd been clear the marriage was only for the shares, no emotions. He also didn't like the fact that she's turned his house upside down, doing things that he didn't like, like decorating the house for Christmas, having turkey dinner, changing the way Katy, dressed and talked, making her more feminine. She had allies in his own house in Katy and Aggie, his housekeeper -- loved the two, I think they were the only two sanest and grounded ones in the house.
Bess realizes that even though Jude grumbled and was grouchy, he wasn't as unapproachable, giving her the freedom to do as she pleased with his home and his daughter. And, even though, he kept his distance from her, she could see that he was attracted to her and wanted her as much she wanted him. It doesn't take her long to fall in love with him and it is she who initiates their lovemaking on the night of Christmas eve.
Jude tries to resist. "So untouched by ugliness and pain. I should have had enough humanity left to keep you away from me,"
And, it was a beautiful moment, but Jude hating her for tempting him and making him vulnerable turns into ass the following morning and says harsh words to her telling her that it was only sex and that she won't ever own him even if she'd conceived a child by their love-making. Thereafter there's a lot of tension between the two. They'd be taunting each other and I likes some of Bess' replies.
"Because I never realized how much it meant to Katy until now." He laughed shortly. "All this time she pretended that she didn't care. And I was too damned busy." He lifted his chin and studied her thoughtfully. "She shines like a new penny these days. You've got her heart in your pocket. Just don't set your at mine, lady."
"That frozen thing?" she asked with a calm she didn't feel. "Why should I want it?
"Shy?" he taunted. "There isn't an inch of you I don't know now."
"Oh, yes, there is," she replied, lifting her eyes. "My mind. And my heart. You don't know the first thing about either one."
After Jude's harsh words, Bess builds walls around her, but she was confused by Jude's actions which were contradictory to his words, She got to know for her Christmas gift he went to unbelievable lengths to trace the one thing she'd been longing for.
Then, while things are strained between them her step-sister, Crystal, visits. Before she even arrives, Bess, feels doomed because Crystal had always taken things from her before, but those were things Bess didn't mind losing, but she was now worried what if Crystal wanted Jude and this is where I got annoyed with Bess. Even before Crystal descended, she'd already conceded having lost her husband to her step-sister. And, with Crystal being outgoing and with Jude helping her with her financial issues, the two spent a lot of time together making Bess' jealousy escalate. Yet, instead of taking up on Jude's offer to meet him half-way and to restart their marriage, to make it work --"I had you in the palm of my hand once upon a time, Bess. What a pity that I was too damned stupid to realize what I was holding until it was too late."--- instead of finding ways to keep her sister away from the husband she loved, she would leave them alone to spend time together and preferred to sit in her room and stew on her jealousy imagining all the things they'd be doing. And, it irked me when she'd say "Yes, wherever my sister is," when he'd tell her you know where to find me or will the bed take three of us. If Jude hadn't insisted she goes, she would've backed out from visiting the Alamo site. He stayed by her side holding her right through as they looked around, and even urged her to buy something more expensive for herself than the inexpensive ring she chose, considering Crystal got him to buy an expensive jewellery for herself. I decided to blame pregnancy hormones for her behavior.
But then, things get worse when she finds her sister and Jude kissing and as she flees in her upset state she trips on the stairs and almost loses her baby. There's another explanation for that kissing scene, not what it looked like to Bess. I get that Jude was using Crystal to make Bess jealous and get her to react, and I'm also willing to grudgingly concede that having falling in love with her Frenchman has changed a callous, self-centred bitch like Crystal, but I don't get her kissing her step brother-in-law on the lips in her excitement.
Nevertheless, I liked the angst and the play of various emotions in this book. And, even though there was no epilogue, loved the end where Bess sheds off all inhibitions and goes to her husband while he's showering
Read
November 26, 2018Read this one before I started posting reviews here but surprisingly found some snippets I liked in the book in a file on my computer.
would love to read again
Jude stared at her as if he'd never seen a woman in his life. His face flushed slightly, and his eyes exploded with a desire that darkened them almost to black. "Grace and elegance," he breathed. "I imagined you'd be proud even when you offered yourself. You are so lovely, Bess," he added with deep emotion. "So lovely. Don't tempt me, honey. I'm hungry and it's been a long time." He started to turn away, but she touched his arm, daring everything. "Would...would it be so hard?" she whispered, her voice shaking with embarrassment. "No." He shook his head. "Quite the contrary. But if you got pregnant..." Her face brightened, changed, and her eyes softened. "Oh, I'd like that," she breathed. "I'd like being pregnant with your baby." He actually trembled. "Bess..." "Don't you want a son, Jude?" she asked, looking up with her whole heart in her eyes.
A child might soften him, just a little, if he could watch her grow big with it and be there in its early years--things he'd missed when Katy was born. "I'm not asking for miracles," she said softly. "I...I'll try to please you if you'll tell me what to do."
she had an odd feeling that she was carrying Jude's baby. Her hands went unconsciously to her flat stomach. A baby. A little boy with green eyes and black hair, or a little girl who might look a lot like Katy. She smiled. Even if she lost Jude, at least she'd have the baby to love. She could give it all the warmth and adoration she longed to give to him.
His hand moved to the warm swell of her stomach and lingered there, pressing tenderly. "Are you going to give me a baby, honey?" he asked, looking into her eyes with a warm, questioning glance. It was the wording as much as the deep velvet of his voice that made her flush with warmth. She hesitated a second, searching his hard face. Her fingers touched his tentatively. "Yes, I am," she said after a minute.
would love to read again
September 15, 2015
2.5 stars. (Updated to round down to 2 stars because seriously, this book didn't deserve 3)
Making this one quick, mostly because it's only been a day since I finished this and I've already forgotten a bunch of it. The heroine was ridiculously stupid and the hero was, as usual, the normal abusive, wishy-washy alphole Palmer male who can't make up his mind from page to page how he feels about the female. It's normal Diana Palmer fare. If you have a love for Palmer, you'll probably like this one. It didn't satisfy my personal love for WTF-ery and angst, and I thought even given the background of the MMC's abuse, the FMC was way too whiny even when he eventually offers a truce, but then again, I've read far worse from her. Not recommended unless you're already a die-hard Palmer fan.
Making this one quick, mostly because it's only been a day since I finished this and I've already forgotten a bunch of it. The heroine was ridiculously stupid and the hero was, as usual, the normal abusive, wishy-washy alphole Palmer male who can't make up his mind from page to page how he feels about the female. It's normal Diana Palmer fare. If you have a love for Palmer, you'll probably like this one. It didn't satisfy my personal love for WTF-ery and angst, and I thought even given the background of the MMC's abuse, the FMC was way too whiny even when he eventually offers a truce, but then again, I've read far worse from her. Not recommended unless you're already a die-hard Palmer fan.
February 23, 2014
I loved it.
The idea is intriguing to me, even since the very beginning. I knew this book is going to be a bumpy ride. Marriage that Bess didn't want and she literally being held then dragged from her home? Awesome. To be honest, I think Jude's a bit annoying and step over the boundaries a bit too far. He's plain rude and his remarks are just harsh. BUt then again, very typical Hero of Diana Palmer that I always liked. Color me shallow, I don't mind. For an evening read, this book is just nice.
Even though I still didn't like Crystal's attitude, no matter how clear she expalin, I still didn't fond her at all.
Overall, I enjoyed it. :)
The idea is intriguing to me, even since the very beginning. I knew this book is going to be a bumpy ride. Marriage that Bess didn't want and she literally being held then dragged from her home? Awesome. To be honest, I think Jude's a bit annoying and step over the boundaries a bit too far. He's plain rude and his remarks are just harsh. BUt then again, very typical Hero of Diana Palmer that I always liked. Color me shallow, I don't mind. For an evening read, this book is just nice.
Even though I still didn't like Crystal's attitude, no matter how clear she expalin, I still didn't fond her at all.
Overall, I enjoyed it. :)
March 28, 2022
Reread 3/28/22
What can I say Diana Palmer's books are a guilty pleasure of mine🤣 I'm keeping my rating the same but I had to take .5 star away for Bess apologizing to Crystal, she should of punched her instead. Still really like book and will read again in the future
What can I say Diana Palmer's books are a guilty pleasure of mine🤣 I'm keeping my rating the same but I had to take .5 star away for Bess apologizing to Crystal, she should of punched her instead. Still really like book and will read again in the future
February 20, 2022
Ok so we have the usual Diana Palmer jerk hero, and those who know DP, know exactly what I mean, there are push and pulls, and conditions and problems until in the end long, story short, the hero is the one after the heroine to convince her to make a go of their marriage. She is understandably, after so much abuse and neglect and mockery, hesitant, (she’s also pregnant and doesn’t want the hero to know) and decides to sleep on it. One of the things the hero did in his sagacity was to have the heroine’s step sister, a voluptuous blonde he taunted the heroine with, who’d stolen the heroine’s boyfriends through the years, robbed her of her grandmother’s heirloom jewels , contested the will that left her father’s ancestral home to the heroine, … among other acts of sisterly love, extend her visit at the ranch, to help the sister get her man, and of course make the heroine jealous. Personally I feel he is secretly sadistic and just enjoyed making the heroine feel inadequate and squirm next to the nemesis Amazon step sister, who by the way, and lest we forget, played up to the hero’s intentions of making the heroine jealous. Anyways the heroine wakes up in the morning and wonders quietly in the house (everyone else had gone church) and sees the sister locked in an embrace with the hero. Her temper erupts and she gives them a piece of her mind, throws her rings at the hero, and turns to leave when she falls down the steps. She wakes up in the hospital, where the sister, doesn’t even apologise ONCE, and tells the heroine she misunderstood and what she saw that morning was that her French count love-interest having just called to say he wanted to marry her after all, in a fit of gratitude she’d been overcome and was kissing the hero because it was the only way she could say thanks to him. Loooooooooool
The heroine of course accepts this as pretty normal and is embarrassed that she overreacted and screamed at them, I mean it’s pretty normal to French kiss your sister’s husband as a thank you, and she actually apologises for having jumped to conclusions. This is the point where you think she has everything horrible life has in store, coming to her, and living with the horrible hero is actually more than she deserves. This heroine is a stupid idiot and deserves worse, but you, potential future readers of this atrocity deserve more than be made to invest emotionally in such a hapless, leaking jelly blob.
The heroine of course accepts this as pretty normal and is embarrassed that she overreacted and screamed at them, I mean it’s pretty normal to French kiss your sister’s husband as a thank you, and she actually apologises for having jumped to conclusions. This is the point where you think she has everything horrible life has in store, coming to her, and living with the horrible hero is actually more than she deserves. This heroine is a stupid idiot and deserves worse, but you, potential future readers of this atrocity deserve more than be made to invest emotionally in such a hapless, leaking jelly blob.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 16, 2011
Seriously? These guys really need to find better ways to express their amorous intents!! This books simply pushed my patience too much with the whole virgin/guardian's got the hots-I mean loves her but doesn't know how to show it/doesn't want to show it 'cause all women are just like the ONE vile manipulative BIT&H from his past.
Whatever!
Whatever!
April 12, 2025
I love the way that Diana Palmer writes a story! Was the H difficult, of course. Would I have seriously given my sister a verbal and physical attitude adjustment, of course! Did both main characters have a ton of things to learn about themselves and being in a relationship, you bet. They did learn and did have their HEA. On to the next DP novel.
July 16, 2023
It’s hard to write a review of this novel. I had no expectations of it going in. I was merely looking for a traditionally published romance novel by a popular author to compare to the indie published ones I’ve been reading for quality of writing.
The first thing I noticed was that it was written entirely from the heroine’s POV (with several brief slips into his and omniscient), something that isn’t done now. When the hero lit a cigarette, I immediately went to the copyright page to check the publication date—1984, which explains a lot about this book.
It is literally a “bodice ripper”. You can read other reviews for how badly behaved the characters were… by today’s standards. The reasons for his behavior aren’t explicitly explained, although it’s easy to make an educated guess. Hers are, but I’m not sure that even she comes across as sympathetic.
Society has changed a lot in forty years, and I decided to rate this book by the standards of the time,which is why the four stars. I mostly enjoyed reading this book, and would put it in the “guilty pleasures” category.
The first thing I noticed was that it was written entirely from the heroine’s POV (with several brief slips into his and omniscient), something that isn’t done now. When the hero lit a cigarette, I immediately went to the copyright page to check the publication date—1984, which explains a lot about this book.
It is literally a “bodice ripper”. You can read other reviews for how badly behaved the characters were… by today’s standards. The reasons for his behavior aren’t explicitly explained, although it’s easy to make an educated guess. Hers are, but I’m not sure that even she comes across as sympathetic.
Society has changed a lot in forty years, and I decided to rate this book by the standards of the time,which is why the four stars. I mostly enjoyed reading this book, and would put it in the “guilty pleasures” category.
November 24, 2024
Siempre que me meto a leer estos libros se que debería tener en cuenta que fueron escritos hace rato, pero en ocasiones si me frustran los personajes, en primera jamás se menciono el rango se edad pero se sentía como si fuera mucho y probablemente con cosas ilegales por ahí, además el cambio de Jude no se siente genuino, que igual me encule? Pues si que quieren que les diga, perooooo me pudo haber dado mucho mucho mas
July 16, 2021
— a classic Palmer book with an insufferable asshole hero and a sweet heroine. exactly what I craved.
August 19, 2025
I do love a good marriage of convenience romance and so I thought this might be fun, however Jude was such a jerk and didn’t change his tune until about the 75% mark. The guy was a mean chauvinist, and I didn’t have much respect for Bess taking his treatment.
I’ve read some romances that stood up well over the years, but this isn’t one of them. Although, I don’t think the story being out of date was the issue. This was a hate-to-love romance with way too much hate.
I listened to the audio version narrated by Todd McLaren. He has a pleasing masculine voice and I enjoyed his performance of Jude. His female voices were satisfactory.
I voluntarily listened to an audio copy courtesy of the publisher. These are my thoughts and opinions.
I’ve read some romances that stood up well over the years, but this isn’t one of them. Although, I don’t think the story being out of date was the issue. This was a hate-to-love romance with way too much hate.
I listened to the audio version narrated by Todd McLaren. He has a pleasing masculine voice and I enjoyed his performance of Jude. His female voices were satisfactory.
I voluntarily listened to an audio copy courtesy of the publisher. These are my thoughts and opinions.
October 3, 2012
According to the above blurb I find myself it seems consistently swimming against the tide.
DP's books that I have reviewed so far have the irritatingly frustrating habit of making the female leads out to be empty headed and without backbone or worse they start off strong then somehow lose themselves. Yet I know I read a couple at least that weren’t like this but I have no intention of finding them any time soon, I’ll mark the remaining books of hers that I read a few years back and leave it at that.
The novel? Unbelievable.
Barely into the book, page 26 in fact.
Did I seriously miss something? There is so much more of this tripe that in my eyes its unforgivable. Sure he comes round but too little too late for my piece of mind.
1984/248 pages/MIRA Pub
DP's books that I have reviewed so far have the irritatingly frustrating habit of making the female leads out to be empty headed and without backbone or worse they start off strong then somehow lose themselves. Yet I know I read a couple at least that weren’t like this but I have no intention of finding them any time soon, I’ll mark the remaining books of hers that I read a few years back and leave it at that.
The novel? Unbelievable.
Barely into the book, page 26 in fact.
Did I seriously miss something? There is so much more of this tripe that in my eyes its unforgivable. Sure he comes round but too little too late for my piece of mind.
1984/248 pages/MIRA Pub
May 12, 2014
Just reread this book -- great escapism reading!
February 19, 2015
Okay, I don't know what to think about this one. He was such a jerk. I wanted to smack him more often than not. I don't get why he treated her like crud when he wanted her so much. It
May 30, 2022
3.5 stars
March 27, 2020
Fue apabullante tanto maltrato en la historia.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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