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Americana #10
Night of the Cotillion
Amanda fought hard to prove her love. "I forgot, Amanda--" Jarod's dark eyes mocked her as he spoke "-- you're wrapped up in those romantic notions about husbands and wives and the happily-ever-afters." But Amanda kept her secret fear that some day all this happiness must end firmly pushed to the back of her mind. She was determined that the days, weeks or months spent with Jarod would be heaven. Because she knew that living without him would be agony.
256 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1976
87 people are currently reading
184 people want to read
About the author
Janet Dailey
395 books1,849 followersJanet Anne Haradon Dailey was an American author of numerous romance novels as Janet Dailey (her married name). Her novels have been translated into nineteen languages and have sold over 300 million copies worldwide.
Born in 1944 in Storm Lake, Iowa, she attended secretarial school in Omaha, Nebraska before meeting her husband, Bill. Bill and Janet worked together in construction and land development until they "retired" to travel throughout the United States, inspiring Janet to write the Americana series of romances, where she set a novel in every state of the Union. In 1974, Janet Dailey was the first American author to write for Harlequin. Her first novel was NO QUARTER ASKED.
She had since gone on to write approximately 90 novels, 21 of which have appeared on the New York Times Bestseller List. She won many awards and accolades for her work, appearing widely on Radio and Television. Today, there are over three hundred million Janet Dailey books in print in 19 different languages, making her one of the most popular novelists in the world.
Janet Dailey passed away peacefully in her home in Branson on Saturday, December 14, 2013. She was 69.
Born in 1944 in Storm Lake, Iowa, she attended secretarial school in Omaha, Nebraska before meeting her husband, Bill. Bill and Janet worked together in construction and land development until they "retired" to travel throughout the United States, inspiring Janet to write the Americana series of romances, where she set a novel in every state of the Union. In 1974, Janet Dailey was the first American author to write for Harlequin. Her first novel was NO QUARTER ASKED.
She had since gone on to write approximately 90 novels, 21 of which have appeared on the New York Times Bestseller List. She won many awards and accolades for her work, appearing widely on Radio and Television. Today, there are over three hundred million Janet Dailey books in print in 19 different languages, making her one of the most popular novelists in the world.
Janet Dailey passed away peacefully in her home in Branson on Saturday, December 14, 2013. She was 69.
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
January 13, 2018
If you're a reader who loves asshole, arrogant tycoon heroes then you will adore Jarod Colby - the H of this novel. I didn't really like the guy at first and he got on my nerves as time passed but I still enjoyed this romance. I loved the heroine Amanda. She was the epitome of sweetness and feminine beauty plus she was a wonderful daughter, sister and friend. This girl was one of Janet Dailey's most endearing heroines. She took a lot of shit from the H and some will call her a doormat for her behaviour and I suppose that, to some extent she was a doormat but it was difficult to dislike her. I wish I could be such a goody two shoes like this girl !
I loved the way the author used the old North vs South civil war theme to show how the heroine's family were so culturally different from the hero's. Amanda was a true southern belle; her grandfather was so funny with his old fashioned patriotic belief in the "glory" of the old south. I laughed at how he was distrustful of the hero because the latter's relatives were all northerners. In spite of their social, cultural and economic differences though, Amanda had developed an insta-crush on Jarod Colby the first time she saw him. He became the man of her adolescent and teenage fantasies but her illusions were shattered because the first time he spoke to her he was rude and arrogant.
The second time they meet at the cotillion ball, the H is filled with insta-lust for Amanda because she's now a woman and not the adolescent he had been rude to previously. I loved the scene from the cotillion. It was so romantic ! And Amanda's gown was gorgeous. They soon start dating for a short while. Poor Amanda thought that Jarod's feelings for her were as strong as hers for him but he soon disabused her of that notion by telling her that he only wants a sexual affair with her.
When she tells him she's a virgin he gets mad. What a jackass ! It's inconvenient for him that she's a virgin because he thinks she will expect wedding bells. She then refuses to see him again and there's an occasion or two where he tries to make her jealous by bringing around one of his old flames. The rude bitch OW insults Amanda repeatedly and when Amanda loses her temper and replies, Jarod gets mad because his former slutbunny is apparently an important guest. Wtf ? I really wanted to strangle him after this happened.
Amanda still refuses to have anything to do with him and he leaves her alone for a while. I assume that he has been dating other women in the mean time but Amanda hasn't been seeing anyone. The whole situation comes to a climax when Amanda's dad, who works for Jarod, gets a heart attack. The dad is the sole breadwinner for the family and they have lots of bills because of the number of kids in college. Jarod decides to help them out by offering to marry Amanda; he thinks her family will not be too proud to accept his help if he's an in law by marriage. I think the bastard just wanted to get into Amanda's panties and knew that marriage was the only way she would let him.
Amanda was skeptical at first but her old starry eyed romantic fantasies soon return in full force after they marry. She deludes herself into thinking that her love is so strong that it will be adequate to sustain the marriage. Jarod is very uncommunicative as a husband. He openly tells her that he only cares about her wifely duties in the bedroom and nothing else. Apparently his parents had had an awful marriage and he had never been exposed to love in his life so his level of cynicism is quite sky high. I just think he acted like the spoilt rich bastard that he is because he was so mean to Amanda. Things worsened after she got pregnant. He positively loathed the idea of a baby. I was hating him at this point, but didn't want him to die yet because he wasn't cheating on her. But poor sweet Amanda plodded on in the marriage, being as kind and gracious as ever even though she was hurting inside. My grandmother would have loved Amanda's old fashioned gentility and ladylike behaviour.
After the birth of their baby boy, Jarod became more distant. He didn't even care what she named the child. Wtf kind of father is that ? I think he was extremely jealous of the attention the baby was getting from Amanda. Things became so tense between them that the housekeeper decided to intervene with a little plan of her own. She fooled Jarod into believing that Amanda had taken the baby and gone home to her parents. That caused a sudden change in Jarod because he realized just how much he had been taking her for granted. I don't know if I believed his sudden change in attitude but he did really grovel when he went get Amanda and the baby.
The ending was sweet because he apologized in a sincere way and his new open affection for his wife and his son was very obvious. It was a beautiful scene. He seemed almost close to tears when he held his baby son David in his arms and told Amanda how much he loved her. It was only then that I stopped hating the sexy bastard.
I loved the way the author used the old North vs South civil war theme to show how the heroine's family were so culturally different from the hero's. Amanda was a true southern belle; her grandfather was so funny with his old fashioned patriotic belief in the "glory" of the old south. I laughed at how he was distrustful of the hero because the latter's relatives were all northerners. In spite of their social, cultural and economic differences though, Amanda had developed an insta-crush on Jarod Colby the first time she saw him. He became the man of her adolescent and teenage fantasies but her illusions were shattered because the first time he spoke to her he was rude and arrogant.
The second time they meet at the cotillion ball, the H is filled with insta-lust for Amanda because she's now a woman and not the adolescent he had been rude to previously. I loved the scene from the cotillion. It was so romantic ! And Amanda's gown was gorgeous. They soon start dating for a short while. Poor Amanda thought that Jarod's feelings for her were as strong as hers for him but he soon disabused her of that notion by telling her that he only wants a sexual affair with her.
When she tells him she's a virgin he gets mad. What a jackass ! It's inconvenient for him that she's a virgin because he thinks she will expect wedding bells. She then refuses to see him again and there's an occasion or two where he tries to make her jealous by bringing around one of his old flames. The rude bitch OW insults Amanda repeatedly and when Amanda loses her temper and replies, Jarod gets mad because his former slutbunny is apparently an important guest. Wtf ? I really wanted to strangle him after this happened.
Amanda still refuses to have anything to do with him and he leaves her alone for a while. I assume that he has been dating other women in the mean time but Amanda hasn't been seeing anyone. The whole situation comes to a climax when Amanda's dad, who works for Jarod, gets a heart attack. The dad is the sole breadwinner for the family and they have lots of bills because of the number of kids in college. Jarod decides to help them out by offering to marry Amanda; he thinks her family will not be too proud to accept his help if he's an in law by marriage. I think the bastard just wanted to get into Amanda's panties and knew that marriage was the only way she would let him.
Amanda was skeptical at first but her old starry eyed romantic fantasies soon return in full force after they marry. She deludes herself into thinking that her love is so strong that it will be adequate to sustain the marriage. Jarod is very uncommunicative as a husband. He openly tells her that he only cares about her wifely duties in the bedroom and nothing else. Apparently his parents had had an awful marriage and he had never been exposed to love in his life so his level of cynicism is quite sky high. I just think he acted like the spoilt rich bastard that he is because he was so mean to Amanda. Things worsened after she got pregnant. He positively loathed the idea of a baby. I was hating him at this point, but didn't want him to die yet because he wasn't cheating on her. But poor sweet Amanda plodded on in the marriage, being as kind and gracious as ever even though she was hurting inside. My grandmother would have loved Amanda's old fashioned gentility and ladylike behaviour.
After the birth of their baby boy, Jarod became more distant. He didn't even care what she named the child. Wtf kind of father is that ? I think he was extremely jealous of the attention the baby was getting from Amanda. Things became so tense between them that the housekeeper decided to intervene with a little plan of her own. She fooled Jarod into believing that Amanda had taken the baby and gone home to her parents. That caused a sudden change in Jarod because he realized just how much he had been taking her for granted. I don't know if I believed his sudden change in attitude but he did really grovel when he went get Amanda and the baby.
The ending was sweet because he apologized in a sincere way and his new open affection for his wife and his son was very obvious. It was a beautiful scene. He seemed almost close to tears when he held his baby son David in his arms and told Amanda how much he loved her. It was only then that I stopped hating the sexy bastard.
February 25, 2020
H was as awful as I like it but unfortunately couldn't redeemed himself and actually it was hard with h, the biggest doormat of the millennium. 🙄
Also ladies, hey, love includes little bit pride. Being masochistic Mary Sue is not sacrifice, just sheer stupidity!!!
Also ladies, hey, love includes little bit pride. Being masochistic Mary Sue is not sacrifice, just sheer stupidity!!!
March 28, 2020
"Night of the Cotillion" is the story of Amanda and Jarod.
Well, that was a ride.
Our h is a 21 year old gorgeous tour guide, who is a bubbly, loving woman who loves her family and friends. She has had a crush on the H since she turned 15..that is until he broke her heart with his dismissiveness.
When she attends a ball, she finds him pursuing her and eventually responds. But all his wants is her body, hence she makes him work to court her. He is also her father's boss, and things escalate until the h is coerced by the H to marry him in exchange of saving her family from destitution..
Honestly, the first half of the book was all about the chase between the H and h, and the second half was this forced marriage filled with rejections, angst and the H behaving like an utter cad. I mean, he totally rejected their baby, did not support the h at all-especially during the pregnancy and humiliated her time and again by throwing her love back at her face- only for her to take it all because she LOVES him?! WTF! Have some dignity woman.
Exasperating.
SWME
2.5/5
Well, that was a ride.
Our h is a 21 year old gorgeous tour guide, who is a bubbly, loving woman who loves her family and friends. She has had a crush on the H since she turned 15..that is until he broke her heart with his dismissiveness.
When she attends a ball, she finds him pursuing her and eventually responds. But all his wants is her body, hence she makes him work to court her. He is also her father's boss, and things escalate until the h is coerced by the H to marry him in exchange of saving her family from destitution..
Honestly, the first half of the book was all about the chase between the H and h, and the second half was this forced marriage filled with rejections, angst and the H behaving like an utter cad. I mean, he totally rejected their baby, did not support the h at all-especially during the pregnancy and humiliated her time and again by throwing her love back at her face- only for her to take it all because she LOVES him?! WTF! Have some dignity woman.
Exasperating.
SWME
2.5/5
June 24, 2024
Based on Ivy H’s review, the so-called hero’s side-piece insults the sweet heroine repeatedly and when she finally loses her temper, the zero hero takes the rude cow’s side? Heeeeeeeellll to the no. That is not an Alpha hero. An alpha may be cruel but he always stands up for his woman in the face of a direct attack.
April 8, 2023
This book is going to offend many people right out of the gate, as the heroine defends, the tradition of the glorious South and talks passionately about General Sherman’s atrocities in Atlanta. It’s just detail after detail after detail: Women dressing up in hoop skirts to attend the annual cotillion at the plantation (tragically owned by Yankees now), where they will celebrate the birthday of Jefferson Davis.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 22, 2020
This is so classic Janet Dailey. She is an awesome writer.
In her books love is also a bit painful. The man is loving and passionate, but also a bit cruel at times towards the woman.
There may be something wrong with me, but I like this book. Especially because - although he is not always very nice to her - it is clear that he fights against his own feelings. And what I also like: he stays faithful to her, even when they’re apart.
The man wants to have sex with her. They make out in the car and she tells him she loves him. He then tells her that he only wants sex from her and that he doesn’t love her. That sounds a bit cruel, but on the other hand I like his honesty. He does not lead her on, telling things she wants to hear just to get her body.
I love the making out scenes. Janet Dailey has a way with words that makes you want to kiss the way she describes it.
In her books love is also a bit painful. The man is loving and passionate, but also a bit cruel at times towards the woman.
There may be something wrong with me, but I like this book. Especially because - although he is not always very nice to her - it is clear that he fights against his own feelings. And what I also like: he stays faithful to her, even when they’re apart.
The man wants to have sex with her. They make out in the car and she tells him she loves him. He then tells her that he only wants sex from her and that he doesn’t love her. That sounds a bit cruel, but on the other hand I like his honesty. He does not lead her on, telling things she wants to hear just to get her body.
I love the making out scenes. Janet Dailey has a way with words that makes you want to kiss the way she describes it.
November 22, 2017
3 e mezzo. Cartaceo
July 22, 2020
Scarlett O’Hara would roll over in her grave if she knew that the heroine of the story Amanda is being compared to her. Amanda revels in being put down, snapped at, debased, and criticized by our hero Jarod. She meekly says “ I will put up with anything because I love you Jarod.I don’t care if you have other women, I don’t care if you treat me like dirt, I will always be here for you Jarod.”
Well once I quelled my gag reflex I was able to finish this book. Actually that was stupid of me. I should’ve thrown the book away earlier.
Well once I quelled my gag reflex I was able to finish this book. Actually that was stupid of me. I should’ve thrown the book away earlier.
May 4, 2021
I forgot, Amanda--" Jarod's dark eyes mocked her as he spoke "--you're wrapped up in those romantic notions about husbands and wives and the happily-ever-afters."
But Amanda kept her secret fear that some day all this happiness must end firmly pushed to the back of her mind. She was determined that the days, weeks or months spent with Jarod would be heaven. Because she knew that living without him would be agony
But Amanda kept her secret fear that some day all this happiness must end firmly pushed to the back of her mind. She was determined that the days, weeks or months spent with Jarod would be heaven. Because she knew that living without him would be agony
May 30, 2010
Ah, memories. I read this in high school because a girl I was crazy about said she'd read "The Lord of the Rings" if I'd read this romance novel. Hmm; I think she got the better end of the deal. I had no interest in the damn thing and didn't enjoy it much despite finishing, but as a conversation piece that could lead to a crumb of interaction, I went for it. I never got the girl, either.
March 6, 2015
Jackass hero, door mat heroine. Can't understand why do women read such regressive books?
May 22, 2022
Another 3.5. How I wish GoodReads allowed partial ratings !
A very simple story of a dewy eyed 21 year old small town girl. Who has this forever-crush on the town's rich kid and big guy. She's been idolizing him since she was a 15 year old, when he majestically rides his magnificent horse across the fields.
He is 11 years older than her. Doesn't know of her existence until the night of a grand ball at the Cotillion, the hero's manor ! They dance, he flirts, she kind of resists his blatant advances.
He is intrigued by her resistance, pursues her. Offers marriage very quickly, knowing that's the only way to get these shy, sweet virgin types.
She marries him quickly, especially because her family has some financial issues, and the rich guy offers to take care of that as well !!
Dreamy , highly rose tinted, she enters into matrimony. Only to realise, he doesn't care one whit about the concepts of love, togetherness, etc. He is a hard nosed cynic, strongly believes that marriages are meant to crack and crumble.
Till the last page, he maintains this callous approach to marriage. She tries hard, cajoles him, pleads, openly declares her love. But he only seems to want sex, nothing else.
A kiddo is conceived, his callousness remains !! She thinks of walking out, standing up to him, etc.
Nope, but no such thing happens. She remains the docile, submissive, openly loving and caring wife till the end. Even after the child is born and he acts aloof then too !!
Now, one might argue. How can she be so doormatty? But you see, if being doormatty and loving without reservation gets her, her man, then can you blame her ;))
After all the cardinal purpose of romantic fiction is for a female protagonist to GET HER MAN !!! Each story is just about the different ways and means our women apply to get the fellow. Preferably a rich fellow, a gorgeous fellow. And a picket fence, a kiddo or two, are the nice added touches ! Sometimes even a dog is thrown in - the HEA picture is complete !!!!!!!!!!!!
Here the wifely duties she performs till the last page without flinching, manages to melt the fellow down. He forgets his bitter past and succumbs to the charm of having a wife and kid. Happy Families !!!
This story is part of Janet Dailey's "One story per US State" series. This one covers Georgia, but not in particular detail. Just the odd reference to the confederate states, the southeners and the yankees.
A very simple story of a dewy eyed 21 year old small town girl. Who has this forever-crush on the town's rich kid and big guy. She's been idolizing him since she was a 15 year old, when he majestically rides his magnificent horse across the fields.
He is 11 years older than her. Doesn't know of her existence until the night of a grand ball at the Cotillion, the hero's manor ! They dance, he flirts, she kind of resists his blatant advances.
He is intrigued by her resistance, pursues her. Offers marriage very quickly, knowing that's the only way to get these shy, sweet virgin types.
She marries him quickly, especially because her family has some financial issues, and the rich guy offers to take care of that as well !!
Dreamy , highly rose tinted, she enters into matrimony. Only to realise, he doesn't care one whit about the concepts of love, togetherness, etc. He is a hard nosed cynic, strongly believes that marriages are meant to crack and crumble.
Till the last page, he maintains this callous approach to marriage. She tries hard, cajoles him, pleads, openly declares her love. But he only seems to want sex, nothing else.
A kiddo is conceived, his callousness remains !! She thinks of walking out, standing up to him, etc.
Nope, but no such thing happens. She remains the docile, submissive, openly loving and caring wife till the end. Even after the child is born and he acts aloof then too !!
Now, one might argue. How can she be so doormatty? But you see, if being doormatty and loving without reservation gets her, her man, then can you blame her ;))
After all the cardinal purpose of romantic fiction is for a female protagonist to GET HER MAN !!! Each story is just about the different ways and means our women apply to get the fellow. Preferably a rich fellow, a gorgeous fellow. And a picket fence, a kiddo or two, are the nice added touches ! Sometimes even a dog is thrown in - the HEA picture is complete !!!!!!!!!!!!
Here the wifely duties she performs till the last page without flinching, manages to melt the fellow down. He forgets his bitter past and succumbs to the charm of having a wife and kid. Happy Families !!!
This story is part of Janet Dailey's "One story per US State" series. This one covers Georgia, but not in particular detail. Just the odd reference to the confederate states, the southeners and the yankees.
September 24, 2021
Romance at it's finest.
Wonderfully romantic novel. Written the way romance should be written. Classic. Poignant characters. Emotional roller-coaster. Wonderful must read. Kudos for Janet Dailey.
Wonderfully romantic novel. Written the way romance should be written. Classic. Poignant characters. Emotional roller-coaster. Wonderful must read. Kudos for Janet Dailey.
August 2, 2024
I love when this silly stuff makes me laugh...the scene in the car with a slap and escape made me laugh so hard :D
Gotta admire a brave and virtuous heroine!
ultimately in a humble way she gets her way... which is best for both.
Gotta admire a brave and virtuous heroine!
ultimately in a humble way she gets her way... which is best for both.
August 8, 2025
I'm no PC SJW, but this book offended me at the start, with Old Grandpa still mourning for his beloved Confederacy, and everyone getting ready to celebrate at the Cotillion, in honor of Jefferson Davis's memory! I expected a servant to appear with a kerchief on her head talking that stereotypical black slang! Ridiculous!!
If this book were set in the 1920's or 30's it would have made more sense, but I think it was written in the 80's, so the time had long since passed for that kind of nonsense.
I just didn't want to read it, and after checking out some of the reviews, I made the right decision!
If this book were set in the 1920's or 30's it would have made more sense, but I think it was written in the 80's, so the time had long since passed for that kind of nonsense.
I just didn't want to read it, and after checking out some of the reviews, I made the right decision!
March 8, 2014
3,5 stars
Read
June 25, 2018"I forgot, Amanda--" Jarod's dark eyes mocked her as he spoke "--you're wrapped up in those romantic notions about husbands and wives and the happily-ever-afters."
But Amanda kept her secret fear that some day all this happiness must end firmly pushed to the back of her mind. She was determined that the days, weeks or months spent with Jarod would be heaven. Because she knew that living without him would be agony
But Amanda kept her secret fear that some day all this happiness must end firmly pushed to the back of her mind. She was determined that the days, weeks or months spent with Jarod would be heaven. Because she knew that living without him would be agony
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews