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If Only You Knew
Sex, lies and secretsAs handsome as he is demanding, Carlton Harrington III makes his new employee, Latonya Stevens, work long, hard hours to hide his growing attraction for her. But after late nights at the office lead to searing seduction and a whirlwind marriage, the couple couldn't be happier.Their wedded bliss takes a sudden turn for the worse when Carlton's jealousy gets the best of him. Once he drives Latonya away, Carlton realizes his mistrust may have cost him his soul mate. But then he learns she has a secret that could put their reconciliation on hold forever….
248 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 1, 2006
5 people are currently reading
60 people want to read
About the author
Gwyneth Bolton
13 books66 followersGwyneth Bolton was born and raised in Paterson, New Jersey. She currently lives in Syracuse, New York with her husband Cedric.
When she was 12-years-old, she became an avid reader of romance by sneaking her mother's stash of Harlequin and Silhouette novels. In the 90s, she was introduced to African American and multicultural romance novels and her life hasn't been the same since.
While she had always been a reader of romance, she didn't feel inspired to write them until the genre opened up to include other voices. And even then, it took finishing graduate school, several non-fiction publications, and a six-week course at the Loft Literary Center titled Writing the Romance Novel; before she gathered the courage to start writing her first romance novel.
Gwyneth has a BA and an MA in English/Creative Writing and a Ph.D. in English/Composition and Rhetoric. She teaches classes in writing and women's studies at the college level.
She has won several awards for her romance novels, including four Emma Awards and the Romance In Color Reviewer's Choice award for new author of the year. When she is not teaching or working on her own African American romance novels, she is curled up with a cup of herbal tea, a warm quilt, and a good book.
When she was 12-years-old, she became an avid reader of romance by sneaking her mother's stash of Harlequin and Silhouette novels. In the 90s, she was introduced to African American and multicultural romance novels and her life hasn't been the same since.
While she had always been a reader of romance, she didn't feel inspired to write them until the genre opened up to include other voices. And even then, it took finishing graduate school, several non-fiction publications, and a six-week course at the Loft Literary Center titled Writing the Romance Novel; before she gathered the courage to start writing her first romance novel.
Gwyneth has a BA and an MA in English/Creative Writing and a Ph.D. in English/Composition and Rhetoric. She teaches classes in writing and women's studies at the college level.
She has won several awards for her romance novels, including four Emma Awards and the Romance In Color Reviewer's Choice award for new author of the year. When she is not teaching or working on her own African American romance novels, she is curled up with a cup of herbal tea, a warm quilt, and a good book.
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
July 31, 2022
Length: 304 pages
Style: African American Romance
Story: GOOD
Intimacy level: GOOD
Enjoyment: GOOD
Series: N/A
Price: Kindle
ReRead 7/2022
I love this book. In 2022 realizing Carlton was super aggressive.
I loved this book, I read it and reviewed it in 2008 and I must say reading it again, I still loved it . What I liked about If Only You Knew is that it takes us on a journey throughout the years from the beginning of Carlton and Latonya's relationship, their separation and rediscovery of each other. I admit, Carlton seems a bit harsh towards Latonya at times, however, it all comes to light on how they grew up. There is no excuse for it, but you'll see when you read the book why everything happen the way it did, plus it makes for an interesting read. Some say they don't feel like this is romance. It just goes to show, some romances aren't I'm swept off my feet married and then here comes the baby, however, sometimes you have go through the hard times to get to the good times and this is what happens in this read. Don't let the fact that the author took us through years of a relationship to not let you read this story, because I think it was worth the read and journey of Carlton and Latonya.
Overall, I read this book again in 2014, and still felt the way I did in 2008. It's a good story especially for a reader who likes in depth story lines mix with sex and love.
Style: African American Romance
Story: GOOD
Intimacy level: GOOD
Enjoyment: GOOD
Series: N/A
Price: Kindle
ReRead 7/2022
I love this book. In 2022 realizing Carlton was super aggressive.
I loved this book, I read it and reviewed it in 2008 and I must say reading it again, I still loved it . What I liked about If Only You Knew is that it takes us on a journey throughout the years from the beginning of Carlton and Latonya's relationship, their separation and rediscovery of each other. I admit, Carlton seems a bit harsh towards Latonya at times, however, it all comes to light on how they grew up. There is no excuse for it, but you'll see when you read the book why everything happen the way it did, plus it makes for an interesting read. Some say they don't feel like this is romance. It just goes to show, some romances aren't I'm swept off my feet married and then here comes the baby, however, sometimes you have go through the hard times to get to the good times and this is what happens in this read. Don't let the fact that the author took us through years of a relationship to not let you read this story, because I think it was worth the read and journey of Carlton and Latonya.
Overall, I read this book again in 2014, and still felt the way I did in 2008. It's a good story especially for a reader who likes in depth story lines mix with sex and love.
June 2, 2010
I ENJOYED this story...even though Carlton comes off as a first class JERK...several times throughout...Carlton and LaTonya have some MAJOR commitment issues that they should have both dealt with before jumping into a marriage so quick...talk about a WHIRLWIND romance...when they didn't let their past interfere with their present they were GREAT together...but I was AMAZED by how you could feel the love between them...yet, neither knew if the other was in love...because they NEVER spoke those three little words...how do you live the day to day of a marriage and never utter those three little words...NOT once...WOW...and Grandpa Carlton reminds me of a female meddlesome character from Mrs. Bolton's Hightower Men of Honor series...he was just AWFUL...even though deep down...WAY DEEP down he ONLY meant to protect his grandson from suffering like his son had...he still came off as a first class SNOB...the full cast was ENGAGING and quite colorful...and the children SIMPLY adorable...I'm so looking forward to reading Cicely's story when it comes out.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 30, 2012
When family stick there nose where it don't belong can bring havoc to a new relationship. Carlton and LaTonya's relationship had the problem with the senior Harrington sticking his nose where it did not belong. It took over five years of ins and outs, ups and downs to find the right fit for them to make it right. Here's to elders not knowing everything.
August 29, 2018
I am usually a big fan of Ms. Bolton's writing, but this one was missing a little something. The story was fine (even if the characters were a little whiny for me), it just didn't evoke the emotion I usually feel when reading one of her romances.
January 28, 2012
I originally read this book when it came out in 2006 and have re-read it several times over the years. I love this story.
Initially I will agree that Carlton is abrasive and rude to LaTonya. He's insecure and unsure of his place in her heart, which causes him to do some pretty horrible things. His fear of being unworthy and incapable of earning her love makes him push her away. When he realizes what he had done, it just might be too late.
LaTonya wasn't as strong as a lot of women would have been, but she was naive. Carlton was her first. He introduced her to things she had never been exposed to before. She isn't comfortable with her position as his wife and is unsure of his love as well. Fear causes her to do something I'm not sure I would be able to do, but ultimately when the dust settles the truth is revealed. Carlton and LaTonya realize their love for each other and are able to mend their broken marriage. I truly enjoyed the journey with them,which is why I have re-read it so many times.
Initially I will agree that Carlton is abrasive and rude to LaTonya. He's insecure and unsure of his place in her heart, which causes him to do some pretty horrible things. His fear of being unworthy and incapable of earning her love makes him push her away. When he realizes what he had done, it just might be too late.
LaTonya wasn't as strong as a lot of women would have been, but she was naive. Carlton was her first. He introduced her to things she had never been exposed to before. She isn't comfortable with her position as his wife and is unsure of his love as well. Fear causes her to do something I'm not sure I would be able to do, but ultimately when the dust settles the truth is revealed. Carlton and LaTonya realize their love for each other and are able to mend their broken marriage. I truly enjoyed the journey with them,which is why I have re-read it so many times.
February 25, 2015
Such a great story I couldn't put it down. The love Latonya and Carlton had for each other was real from the very start. It was sad that neither wanted to trust they love they felt for each other enough to lay it all out on the line from the beginning. It was also sad for the way Elder Harrington treated Latonya and also made people in the Bahamas treat her like trash as well. I don't blame her, I would have wanted to go back home as well. Great to see the love prevailed in the end.
December 18, 2012
This is a rally good book...
November 8, 2016
Very emotional. A very good book showing that love and not trusting can lead to disaster. Add to that a prejudice and conniving in-law. But, as always, love prevails. A very, very good read.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews